#cryptid robin

So obviously, when Batman finally introduced Robin, everyone in the League just assumed the acrobatic, energetic kid was also a cryptid. Because no normal child could do the things Robin does. But here’s the thing: nobody ever dared to bring up their suspicions in front of Batman or Robin.

At least… not until Dick retired as Robin, and Jason showed up.

When Jason became Robin, the League was very confused to see Robin suddenly de-aged into a younger kid. Did he… rejuvenate? No, that couldn’t be it. This one’s skin tone was way lighter than before.

Jason, being way more curious than Dick, started snooping (not maliciously) and overheard the League speculating about the weird change. He quickly started theorizing that maybe this Robin had died and Batman just got another one. And Jason “Being Robin Gives Me Magic” Todd was not about to let the League think his older brother was dead. So, knowing exactly what everyone believed, Jason just went:

“I’m the same Robin.”

Scared the life out of them. But he didn’t stop there.

“I just got tired of my old shell and went into a chrysalis stage to regenerate a new body.”

And then he left.

That was enough to confirm every single suspicion the League had that neither Robin nor Batman were actually human.

When Jason died and Tim took up the mantle, he carried on the rumor—because obviously Tim “Mr. Stalker” Drake had overheard Jason saying something similar to Batman one night.

So Tim just greeted everyone casually, and the League went, “Oh, Robin got tired of his last form and changed again.”

Stephanie’s time as Robin was short, and she never got to properly meet the League. But that didn’t stop her from making sure they knew she existed. When Tim returned as Robin and went to the Watchtower, he casually showed Flash and Green Lantern some photos of Stephanie as Robin.

“That form was unstable. I had to return to this one to avoid dying.”

And he left.

Then came Damian. Now, Damian didn’t refuse to play along out of pride—it was just complicated, because there was no way the League wouldn’t notice that Red Robin was literally the same Robin as before.

The solution?

“Molecular division,” they both said at the same time. “More efficiency for working with Batman by existing as two halves of the same being.”

Nobody objected. In fact, Green Arrow didn’t say a word, because watching two Robins speak at once made him think of the twins from The Shining.

Dick was raised by the circus but it was always meant to be a cover for training him to be a talon. He spent time with talons from a very young age. Maybe he is a talon or just has their mannerism. Either way when Bruce took him in, the batfam did not know what they were in for.

Dick has a habit of just appearing when he wants something.

He appears on top of the bookshelf in the library when he wants Jason to cuddle with him.

He climbs up Bruce when he wants to go outside. He perches on his shoulder like a bird.

He pops out of the vents when he wants to ask Alfred when dinner is going to be ready or when Tim is about to call him to come to watch a movie.

He stares the same way Cass does. Tilts his head like he is studying everyone in the room. Him and Cass sometime have silent conversations.

No one showed him the batcave. No one told him their night time identities. They just found him one day, climbing the cave walls like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Damian avoids him, or at least tries.

Dick keeps popping up. He locks vents, windows, doors and yet this pest keeps appearing. Damian goes to tell him off again but Dick appears with two practice swords and a wide smile.

“I suppose no one else in this house is going to teach you”.

When he officially becomes Robin, Gordon wants to complain. He heard from Hood that the newest bat was only 9. Then he heard the crackle. He sees him slip from the shadows. He sees the way his body bends. He can’t be human. He seems the marks left on the criminal brought in. He sees the shift to long sleeves in July, the padding everyone, even the police start wearing.

It isn’t enough. The joker comes in covers in bites straight through the padding. So many marks.

He is not human. That is the only conclusion Gordon can come to.

POV: apparently it’s being your kid to work day.

Gordon was NOT prepared for the creature he started working with to have a kid, much less bring them to the stakeout.

Title: The Colony Possessed

Main Characters: Gotham, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne

Narrators: Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, OC - Kam, John Constantine, will add others as chapters progress

Honorable Mentions: Wally West, Talia Al Ghul, Damian Al Ghul

No romantic relationships

Stuff to Know: Cryptid Batfamily, maybe a bit spooky, Hopefully a bit amusing, Gotham LOVES Batman and she always will, it's concerning

[The Colony Possessed Table of Contents]

Chapter 4 - It feeds off you, mate

“I know you’re there.” John Constantine called out to the dark, hands buried in the pockets of his beige trench-coat, legs spread shoulder width apart, smoke rising from the lit cigarette he smoked. He knew that Bats would not appreciate his presence in his city, but anything out of the ordinary, anything remotely devilish or cursed was his business so, his old pal could suck it. The alley darkened to the point where he could only see a few feet in front of him. The shadows coalesced and bright green eyes shone, no pupil, no white, just pointy green like upside down half moons. The shadows giggled, they caressed his hair, a shiver ran down his spine. “Hello.” The voice echoed against the brick walls, female sounding, soft. The pair of eyes faded in and out in the dark. “No, no,” John shook a finger at it, “I need all of your attention.” John stomped his foot on the ground and an elaborate circle with sigils lit up, causing the shadows to hiss. All at once the shadows darkened and gathered in one spot on the ground in front of him. It was in the shape of a petite woman, long wavy black hair that moved like smoke draped her back, her body the color of coal and acid eyes green eyes glared at him. “What do you want, friend.” She hissed. “Friend, eh? What’s my new friend’s name?” She tilted her head and simply said, “Gotham.” John whistled in surprised, rocking his body back and forth on his heels, “A sentient city.” He knew it! From the day he met the Bat, something wasn’t right. If he ignored his broody countenance, his sharp words, and his gloomy disposition, he could feel another presence hanging off the Bat. It was subtle and vague, cleverly hidden.

He hadn’t been sure, thought that maybe it had been something else. He had even gone to the Watch Tower after he heard of the rumors of it possibly being haunted and found nothing. Bats though, exuded something supernatural, no matter if the grump claimed to not believe in the occult. Heck he had felt it in the man’s children, in his cave, but whenever he looked too closely the thing would disappear. Until recently. The presence had gotten stronger. The proof stood in front of him, it had taken a humanoid form, no longer just an essence. Mixed with something else, something vicious. “I know of your type. Calls herself Angela. Good for a fun time but brings me trouble. What do you want with Bats?” Gotham was no longer looking at John, instead she stared at her hands the shape of long pointy fingers shrinking into dull stubs, she wiggled them. “I’m his, my Bat.” She eventually responded. John watched her as she moved her legs, feet forming solidly, toes wiggling on the sodden cobbled stones. This was going to be troublesome. A city who thought it belonged to a human. Gotham touched her face, its shadowy tendrils taking shape into a proper jawline, lips, nose and forehead. Her hands trailed down her body and she jumped up and down, her breasts bouncing. John enjoyed the show. “You’re a city. You don’t belong to anyone.” Gotham flicked her wrists and a flowy black dress appeared to cover her body, she looked up at him, her almond eyes wide. “I’m his. Fixes me. Loves me.” John nodded as if that made sense. Gotham had an innocence to her despite it existing for hundreds of years. Honestly, he had expected her to be twisted and blood thirsty with the way Gothamites lived here. With all the corruption, death and the crazies. He was surprised that it seemed it hadn’t affected her. “Let me go?” she said tilting her head. John hummed. “Not yet, gotta figure out what to do with you. Does Bats know you exist?” “They know.” Gotham pointed up. John’s eyes followed and were met with four pairs of white eyes, narrowed. They perched like the gargoyles that sat sentinel in the city skylines. He flinched at the crack of a bullet being fired. It ricocheted off the floor next to his feet. “Oy!” The circle flickered. Gotham jumped, floating up so that John’s eyes were met with hers. She cupped his face, her smile unnaturally wide, brilliantly white, and stared deeply into his eyes. Blunt fingers turning sharp, digging into his cheeks before relenting, before making him bleed. “Thank you, friend of my Bat.” She dissipated, leaving him with the ominous birds. He looked up at them, he could feel her presence within them. “Get out of Gotham.” Their words bounced off the brick walls around him, he swore he could hear the flutter of wings at their departure. “It feeds off you, mate.” John said, to no one.

More Cryptid sketches.

"Which is scarier? The Bat who is one with the shadows and is willing to do anything for it's children, or it's spawn who will laugh at you as it attacks from above?" - Random Gothamite

No chapters this week for Silent Hearts and Silent Knights, but I'll be back 2/13/24.

“Gotham’s first clear photo of their Cryptids”

Chapter 20 of the “Justice League’s Adventures with their new Cryptid” is up! I’m also back to regular chapter updates.

Also someone needs to move that spotlight, it’s hurting little robins eyes☹️

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO SILENT HEARTS AND SILENT KNIGHTS!!!!!