Don't Panic but, we isekai'd as a Bat Demon inthe DC Universe. Pt.4
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 (You are Here) - Part 5 (Coming Soon)
Life in the manor moved on with a monotony that was genuinely surprising for the Batfam™. Riddler quizzathons, Mr.Freeze showdowns, Joker encounters. Easy Peasy situations like that that blurred into one another. Dick getting bigger and even started hanging out with his new super hero friends. Just like Bruce. Oh you're so proud. You'd wipe a tear from your eyes could cry.
In a surprising turn of events that:
There is currently a Zeta Tube in the cave. On the main platform, Bruce is currently in full batgear typing on the batcomputer, corresponding with the other Supers™ about calibrations and other nonsense. The camera is turned off thankfully. You weren't sure how the Justice League™ would react to their Best Co-Worker Friend (BCWF) with a loitering bat-demon behind him. Exorcism probably. Maybe you'd get stabbed by Wonder Woman. Or maybe internal bleeding from Supermans punch. You rub your own your arm in thought, face scrunching in thought. Maybe maybe maybe.
“Whats with the face Crypt?” Dicks voice broke the silence next to you.
You turned towards him, your golden eyes unblinkingly staring down into his white lenses.
“Im wondering if Wonder Woman could stab me. Because we know my skins unbreakable, or at least tough enough for any materials we have to not cut through anything but my fur or clothes. Could Superman break my bones??”
Dick responded with only a little huff of noise out his nose. An almost perfect mimicry of your own huffs. Awwwwww what a goober. What a little guy, copying you. Oh you're gonna get moist eyes.
Dick seemed to panic as your large eyes became noticeably wet and you let out a small ‘coo’. He took a few steps into your personal space before letting out a soft whistling noise. A noise you'd made hundreds of times to your boys when you comforted them. “Oh Dickie bird, you're a sweetheart. Come give me a hug. You little cryptid. Little creature.”
You reached forward and smushed Dicks face into your stomach, your wings branching around and enclosing him in a stifling warmth and darkness.
Dick wriggled against your doting, protests muffled under his squished cheeks and your large padded hands. He broke away with an exaggerated gasp before running towards Bruce with a harried “How much longer till we can test this?”
Aaaaand thats your queue to leave. You wanted no part in whats happening next. You let a sharp whistle out, and when Bruce and Dick turned towards you, you gestured towards the entrance to your section of the cave before walking towards the edge of the platform.
Opening your wings, you let gravity get a hold before gliding down and onto the stone pathway before your gated entrance. The ornate steel rusting away but still intact, the hinges creaking under the pressure of opening and closing. You hurried down the dim hallways, etchings and carvings with hollow eyes following your every step. Ornate paintings of the sky and the landscape rushed past you as your steps hurried. You know for a FACT that Superman and Wonder Woman would be the first into the batcave, and you want to put as much distance between you and them. Between Supermans super hearing and x-ray vision, and Wonder Womans intuition, you have absolutely no fucking doubt that youd be a target.
Even if Bruce tried to stop them, this in itself is now blurry territory. Better safe than sorry, you take a right and up some steep stairs towards your new sleeping area. After living in an elevated loft deeper into the tunnels, protected by dangerous terrain for humans, Bruce drew the line when Dick started spending more time in the cave with you as he got older. Those times are sadly becoming few and far between as Dick spread his wings as Robin and made friends his own age in the super hero community.
The Teen Titans arc is gonna go crazy. In your musing your walking had slowed down and you stood there. Should you get involved in the Teen Titans Arc? Or just be in Gotham the whole time? I mean you probably couldn't leave the city or its surroundings considering what you look like. I mean what other place on EARTH could accept a 11ft tall bat demon?? Hell maybe, but you've never been and considering how magic works in this universe you NEVER wanna go. Yikes.
You stood there thinking and staring into the distance for a while before there was a loud scraping of metal against stone. Muscle memory took over as you swerved, turned and swiped your clawed hands against you attacker. They leapt back and you got a good view of the person.
Godammit its Wonderwoman.
“Wonder Woman? What the actual fuck are you doing in my house?”
Diana scowled and pointed her sword back in your direction. “SPEAK NO LONGER! I have no idea how one of Hells’ foul beasts managed to sneak into Batmans caves, but I refuse to let you be a threat to him or Robin any longer.”
Your ears pricked forward and your eyes widened comically.
HUH!? Oh my god she understands you?? COMMUNICATION!?
“I live here. Bruce knows I live here. The whole family's been a-ok with me being here for hundreds of years! This is not the situation where you stab a bitch just for living here!”
Diana started walking to the left, so you start walking right. Keep her FAR away from you. Women with swords are nobody’s best friends.
She twirled the sword in her hand, as her other reached for her lasso. “Say whichever you like, foul creature, but I will still return you to where you came.”
Ok so, ideas. Currently in a stand off with Wonderwoman. Uhhhh, so. Ok. Stall for time. If she's here then Bruce and Clark are already on their way. Bruce probably hella pissed and Clark, probably confused. Hopefully they use super speed because as confident as you are with combat (which you are not) you're not sure if you could hold her off for longer than 1 minute. Your wings twitched anxiously and spread, giving you some balance as you start hunching over, bracing for your opponent's next move.
Wonder Woman seemed more relaxed, occasionally twirling her sword, though her other hand was quickly bunching her lasso in her palm, getting it ready for a quick throw and tangle. You're unsure how the blessed rope would react to your less than holy body. Stalling is your best bet.
She launched herself forward, and you braced, before dodging at the last second, your wing shooting out and punching her in the arm and knocking her off center. She swiftly regained balance, twirling on her toes, before launching again with her sword forward. You braced again; and as she struck you brought a hand forward and clamped it over her bracers and used the momentum to throw her into a wall.
Wonder Woman bounced off the wall and onto the floor, the wall now had large spiderweb cracks, and an impact crater where you threw her. Centuries old paint and carvings chipped and fell to the ground. Dust and smaller debris clinking to the ground softly, almost apologetically.
“Oh my god, I did NOT mean to do that! Can't we just talk?? I'm sure you're a reasonable lady. Justice for all and stuff.”
Your chittered and warbled sentence goes on deaf ears, as Wonder Woman ignores you (wow ok) and angrily gathers herself for another attack. Nervousness causes you to shift your weight back and forth on your toes. Ears pricked behind you, listening for rapid footsteps or displaced air. Eyes focusing as adrenaline pumps, heart pounding, if you could sweat you guarantee that you'd be so moist and–
A flash of light erupts in your face as Wonder Woman snaps the lasso between her hands, the subtle golden glow suddenly blinding by the ‘SNAP’ that echoes in the room leaving your ears ringing. Blindness causes you to stagger in place, a startled shriek leaving as your balance teeters.
Pain erupts from your arms and wings as a golden lasso clenches and tightens around your body. Wings cinched shut close to your body and uncomfortably positioned. A sizzling sound comes off your fur as it erupts into small fires and burns away, filling the room with the smell of burnt hair, and eventually flesh. Screams exit your mouth in a horrible sound so unnatural that it sends shivers down Wonder Woman's spine.
You fall to the ground and continue voicing your pain. Coherent thought has exited the building. Pain is your new bff. Hooray… Screams taper off to small whines and a sound almost reminiscent of whale calls. Sad, hurt and lonely.
A ringing silence stretched, and Wonder Woman was slowly wrapping the loose lasso around her hands. Muffled speaking echoed in from her but no words were discernable. She looked smug, though your eyesight was blurry and….darkness…….
“....cr–......cry–pt!.......-ypt!......CRYPT!”
A young voice echoes in and out of focus. Your eyes flutter open and you're confronted with the dominoed face of a young Dick Grayson. His face is screwed up in fury and fear, his forehead wrinkled and his lips slightly curled. His gloved hands are frantically wrenching the rope from around your body, before gagging as the uncovered smell of burning hits him. Pained groans and wheezes left you as the pressure eased but the burns remained. He was grasping into his utility belt looking for burn creams, his gloves missing the zippers multiple times before harshly wrenching the bag open and pulling out the small tube.
His hands shook as he opened it and dumped a massive portion over your upper arms and shoulder. He gently smears and rubs the solution along your burns with shaking hands. The greasy feeling instantly soothes the burning, though the greasy feeling isn't appreciated, beggars can't be choosers. Dick seemed to be on the verge of hysterics, his breathing coming in rapid puffs and gasps. His movements became mechanical now, but no less gentle as he smoothed the gel back and forth.
You let out a soft croon as you attempted to sit yourself up before crashing back down. A pained groan escapes you because ‘Ouchies Batman we got a 9 on the pain scale’
Dick places a palm on your shoulders, keeping you back down so you're laying on your front, your wings now receiving some love and burn cream, though it seems Dick has run out and is now trying to ration it. As the cream works its magic you turn your attention back onto Wonder Woman, who is partially blocked from your view by the broad caped back of your adopted grandson and the even broader and floating back of country man Clark Kent. The ‘Superman’ himself. How quaint
Though you can't hear a thing they're saying, the aura that Bruce is letting off screams nothing short of murder. Batman may be a pacifist but lord knows how thin that rope he walks is. Wonder Woman must’ve said something as Bruce stands up straighter and even Superman shoulders hunch.
God Bruce, this probably isn’t the friend visit you wanted…
Older hands grasp your shoulders and start to gently try to lift you up, Robins hands soon following though they slip and slide from the cream stick to his gloves. Your sitting upright before your hearing kicks in though the ringing hasn’t left yet.
Bruce’s deep voice cuts through the silence with a dark tone, his iconic growl threatening to make his voice unrecognisable.
“-You come into my cave, my base of operations where my family has been protecting Gotham for years and you threaten, no, attack! A member of the Bats within our own caves! I do not care who you may think they were Wonder Woman, but they are NOT a threat to anyone in this room or outside of it.”
Clark, ever the voice of reason cuts in with “I’m sure Wonder Woman is just confused Batman. I mean no disrespect but there’s a lot of suspicious circumstances regarding you and the, uh, demon?”
Diana let’s out a frustrated huff and gestures to where your now being helped up by Alfred, whose also wearing a domino and Dick whose teenage frame leans against you.
“This creature has pulled the wool over your clans eyes! I can sense the evil within its core and I can assure you that that won’t change.”
Bruce quickly cuts off your frame from Diana's sight and lets his presence speak for itself.
You let out an involuntary growl as your helped to your feet. Two pairs of steady hands support you to your full height, if a bit smaller as you hunch in pain. Alfred quietly shushes you as you whine in pain, his gentle sympathies barely registering through the pain
“Listen here Wonder Bitch, I wanted nothing to do with you or Superman. In fact I was hidden away because I KNEW some bullshit would happen!” You hiss, sharp canines glinting.
Alfred and Dick quickly start escorting you back through the doorway and into the halls trying to get you to the medbayt as quickly as possible. The burns on your body throb with your heartbeat and every step you take sends a jolt through your wings causing them to ache.
Dick lets out a constant stream of placating as huffed whines leave your mouth. By the time you exit the halls and to the main Batcave the pain creeps in again.
“Master Dick run ahead and prep the large bed in the med bay for Crypt. Get saline and injections ready as I fear this may require intense work” Alfred quickly ushers Dick ahead and he sprints off.
“This pains a Bitch. I really hope Bruce kicks out Wonderwoman.” You chitter.
Entering the med bay your swiftly deposited into the large custom bed (made just for you. How lucky!) Your propped upright and Alfred stretches your right wing while Dick gets saline to flush the burns.
You let out a heart stopping, and frankly very threatening growl as your wing is stretched, the scabs quickly breaking and blood rushes out and down your leathery and delicate wings.
They twitch with every itchy feeling of blood and every micropain as wounds reopen.
Dick quickly flushes the blood away until your wounds run semi clear and Alfred pats them fry with large gauze and sprays it with a burn spray, and any larger/deeper burns are covered in gauze and bandages
They both work as a well oiled machine and they do quick work of your left wing in turn.
They start prepping your back and arms for proper care when Bruce walks into the med bay, followed by Superman. Wonder Woman is absent from the group, so its likely Bruce sent her off to cool down, and try not to stab you again.
Bruce quickly walks closer to you and Dick side steps as Bruce comes closer.
He leans his head forward slightly and you knock your head into his affectionately. In all your years of watching this emotionally stunted man child grow up, you can tell in his micro expressions when he’s beating himself up. And this is a blatant example.
Bruce’s shoulders are hitched just the tiniest amount and his scowl is slightly warped around his right cheek. His stance is more stressed and his posture a smidge more rigid.
You rub your head against his and let out your deepest rumble that vibrates the bed causing the minor screws loose to jingle in the sockets.
Bruce steps back and Dick slides back into place.
His tears had dried up at this point and his domino was at risk of slipping off from the adhesive melting away so he remained facing you.
You let out a small purr directly in his face and he lets out a small choked giggle before copying you, snot dribbling down his nose a bit.
“Your gross Baby Bird.” Your eyes crinkle in a smile.
Superman, after a small nod from Bruce steps forward, and gives you a small nervous smile.
“I cannot speak for Wonder Woman, and I won't apologize on her behalf, but asBatman’s closest ally, I deeply apologize for the pain inflicted upon you in your own home. I understand the want to protect but Wonder Woman severely overstepped a boundary by attacking you in your home.”
Clark let the sentence settle before continuing.
“Wonder Woman has been escorted out of the caves and been banned from entering until further notice. I hope our next meeting will be more pleasant Crypt.” Clark nods his head at you and turns to leave.
However when he reaches the doorway he awkwardly turns around and hesitantly says “May your hunts be fruitful and your coffers never empty.” He turns and speeds out of the medbay. Before long the sound of the Zeta Tube whirring echoes through the cave.
Alfred gives a proud huff. “What a polite exit from Superman. I wonder how he learnt that goodbye Master Bruce.”
Bruce rips off the cowl and aggressively rubs his face and hair. He starts pacing back and forth in the medbay, while Alfred calmly attends to your wounds. Dick pushed a separate bed next to yours and is now kneeling on it to access the burns on your upper shoulders and arms.
“Did you both see the damage done to the walls outside Crypts room!? Those paintings have been there 500 years! Theres no fathomable way to restore it or repaint it.”
“Master Bruce, Im sure the wall can be salvaged. We just need to carefully collect the pieces and restore it. Even if we cant place it back on the wall we can display it somewhere else where it would be safer.”
Alfreds always been such a smartie.
You let out a soft purr and chirp at Alfred softly. Part agreement and part apology for growling earlier.
Bruce keeps pacing and now mumbles. Prices, and ideas skate over your head as you focus on Dick, who took his domino off, his red eyes are now visible. The irritation from the adhesive matching the reds from his crying earlier. His eyes still remain glassy and he sniffles once.
Bruce stops pacing, and even Alfred stills next to you. You also quiet down, though you dont stop breathing, as Dick seems hyperfocused on that.
Bruce turns his attention to Dick with a quiet “Yeah chum?”
Dick turns his attention off you and on Bruce.
“I don't want Wonder Woman to come back. Ever. Or, at least for a while. She needs to apologize correctly and she needs to know that Crypt isn't a Demon. And that they aren't evil.”
Bruce’s face saddens and he nods. “Of course chum, she wont come around again. I think we should take space from the League for a while as well.”
You watch Bruce come closer and stand next to Dick before giving him a one armed hug.
Alfred finishes up your wounds and gives you a soft pat on your shoulder.
“All done Master Crypt. We’ll keep an eye on your burns for the next few weeks, but I believe for your well being you should remain on house arrest.” Alfred smiles up at you, his dominoed gaze meeting your own with a smile.
“Nothing to fret otherwise. Now I believe we’ve had a stressful afternoon. How about we have an early dinner. Something light for the moment.”
Alfreds words blend into the background, but one dreaded word sticks out.
