NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27: Protection
The Batcave's alert system woke me from a sound sleep at 3:47 AM. I was on my feet before
I was fully conscious, aided by the martial training - both from this body's muscle memory and my own careful development - turning panic into focused alertness within seconds.
Bruce stood at the computer terminal, cowl pulled back but otherwise still in full Batman attire. His expression was grim even by his standards, jaw tight with tension I rarely saw him display.
"What's happened?" I asked, approaching quickly.
"Arkham security found this in the Joker's cell during a routine inspection." He pushed a folder across the console toward me. "Dr. Arkham sent it over immediately."
I opened the folder and felt my blood turn to ice. Inside were photocopies of pages from a small notebook, covered in the Joker's distinctive, chaotic handwriting.
Newspaper clippings about me. Diagrams of the Ultimatrix. Detailed observations about my time at Gotham Academy and GSI.
And on the final page, a crude but recognizable sketch of Barbara Gordon with the words "leverage point?" scrawled beside it.
The world narrowed to that single page, everything else fading to background noise as a memory from my previous life slammed into my consciousness with devastating clarity.
The Killing Joke.
The infamous Batman story where the Joker shoots Barbara Gordon, paralyzing her from the waist down.
Where he strips her naked, photographs her broken body, and uses those photos to torture her father. Where her life is forever altered as part of the Joker's twisted game with Batman.
A game that now included me.
"No," I said, the word barely audible.
"Samael?" Bruce's voice seemed to come from far away.
"No," I repeated, louder this time, my fists clenching so tightly my nails bit into my palms. "This will not happen."
Bruce studied me carefully, his analytical mind clearly noting my extreme reaction. "Arkham has increased security on the Joker's cell. We're implementing additional protective measures for both you and anyone connected to you."
"Not enough," I cut him off, my voice cold and precise despite the rage building inside me. "Barbara and Commissioner Gordon need to be moved to Mount Justice immediately. Tonight. Now."
Bruce's expression shifted to one of careful neutrality. "That's an extreme response to a potential threat that-"
"This is not up for discussion," I interrupted again, something I rarely dared to do with Batman.
"The Joker has specifically identified Barbara as a target. She and her father need to be under League protection until he's recaptured."
"Recaptured?" Bruce's eyes narrowed. "The Joker is currently secured in Arkham's maximum security wing."
"For now," I replied, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "But we both know that's temporary. He always escapes. Always. And when he does, he'll go after Barbara to get to me."
Bruce was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Your reaction seems... disproportionate. Even considering the circumstances."
I couldn't tell him the truth - that I knew exactly what the Joker was capable of doing to Barbara because I'd read the story in another life.
That I'd seen the panels showing her broken body, her father's torture, the devastation left in the Joker's wake.
"I won't risk her life," I said instead, my tone making it clear this wasn't negotiable. "Or Commissioner Gordon's. Mount Justice has the security systems and League oversight to keep them safe."
"And you believe they'll simply agree to abandon their lives and move to a secret Justice League facility because of a threat that hasn't materialized yet?" Bruce asked, his tone maddeningly reasonable.
The rage and fear crystallized into sudden, absolute clarity. I activated the Ultimatrix, cycling to XLR8 with practiced precision.
"They don't have to agree," I said, my finger hovering over the selection. "I'm not asking permission. I'm informing you of what's going to happen."
Bruce's posture shifted subtly, his body language transitioning from conversational to combat-ready in an instant. "Samael, think carefully about your next action."
"I have," I replied, pressing down on the Ultimatrix.
The familiar surge of energy washed over me as my body reconfigured into XLR8's form - a sleek, velociraptor-like alien with a black and blue body, wheels for feet, and a visor-covered face. In this form, I could move at speeds approaching a holding back Flash's.
"I'll bring them to Mount Justice," I said, my voice altered by the transformation. "You can either help me explain why, or I'll do it myself."
Before Bruce could respond, I was gone - a blur of motion racing up the stairs, through the manor, and out into the Gotham night.
The world slowed to a crawl around me as I accelerated to speeds no human could match, racing toward the Gordon residence with single-minded determination.
The streets of Gotham passed in a smear of lights and shadows.
My mind, enhanced by XLR8's neural processing capabilities, calculated the optimal route while simultaneously planning what I would say, how I would convince them, what I would do if they refused.
There was no scenario in which I would leave Barbara vulnerable. None.
I reached their modest two-story home in under two minutes. Security system: standard for a police commissioner, but nothing that would slow me down. Lights: off, as expected at this hour. Occupants: likely asleep in their respective bedrooms.
I phased back to human form momentarily to pick the lock with skills I'd been quietly developing - no need to cause property damage that would only complicate matters. Once inside, I transformed back to XLR8 and moved silently through the darkened house.
Barbara's room was on the second floor. I found her sleeping peacefully, red hair spread across her pillow, completely unaware of the danger the Joker represented.
For a moment, I simply stood there, watching her breathe, overwhelmed by the need to protect her from what I knew could happen.
Commissioner Gordon's room was down the hall. I would need to wake them both, explain the situation, and get them to Mount Justice before they could fully process what was happening. Before they could argue or refuse.
I moved to Barbara's bedside and gently placed a hand over her mouth, simultaneously switching back to human form. Her eyes flew open in alarm, then widened further when she recognized me.
"Don't scream," I whispered, removing my hand slowly. "I need you to listen carefully. You're in danger. Both you and your father. I need to get you somewhere safe."
"Samael?" she whispered back, confusion and alarm warring in her expression. "What are you - how did you get in here?"
"There's no time to explain fully," I said, keeping my voice low. "The Joker has targeted you specifically to get to me. I'm taking you and your father to a secure location."
To her credit, Barbara's mind worked quickly. "The Joker is in Arkham."
"For now," I replied grimly. "We both know that's temporary."
Something in my expression must have conveyed the gravity of the situation, because her next question wasn't about whether this was necessary, but about logistics.
"Dad's not going to just leave without explanation," she said, sitting up and reaching for her robe. "He's the Commissioner. He can't just disappear."
"I'll handle your father," I promised. "Pack essentials only. We leave in five minutes."
She studied my face for a long moment, then nodded. "I've never seen you like this before."
"You've never been in danger like this before," I replied simply.
Leaving her to pack, I moved to Commissioner Gordon's room. This would be the more difficult conversation. Barbara at least knew me personally; to Gordon, I was primarily Bruce Wayne's ward with some connection to Batman.
I knocked firmly on his door, then opened it without waiting for a response. Commissioner Gordon was already reaching for his service weapon on the nightstand, his instincts as a career police officer keeping it close at hand even in sleep.
"Commissioner Gordon," I said clearly, remaining in the doorway with my hands visible. "I apologize for the intrusion. I'm Samael Morningstar, Bruce Wayne's ward."
"I know who you are," he replied tersely, hand still on his weapon. "What I don't know is why you're in my house at four in the morning."
"The Joker has identified Barbara as a target to get to me," I stated bluntly. "Arkham security found a notebook in his cell with detailed plans. Batman sent me to bring you both to a secure location immediately."
Gordon's expression hardened. "I need to verify this."
"Call Batman," I suggested. "He's aware of the situation, though he didn't approve my methods."
Gordon reached for his phone, keeping his eyes on me as he dialed. After a brief conversation that consisted mostly of Gordon listening, his expression grew increasingly grim. When he hung up, he looked at me with new intensity.
"Batman confirms the threat but says you're acting without authorization," he said carefully. "He suggested I exercise caution."
"Batman believes in protocols and procedures," I replied. "I believe in keeping Barbara safe by any means necessary. The Joker has specifically targeted her to get to me. I won't let that happen."
"And your solution is to what - kidnap us in the middle of the night?" Gordon demanded, though he was already getting out of bed and reaching for clothes.
"My solution is to move you to a secure facility where the Joker can't reach you," I corrected. "You can call it kidnapping if you want, but I'm not leaving here without you and Barbara."
"And where exactly is this 'secure facility'?" Gordon asked, pulling on pants with the efficiency of someone accustomed to emergency calls.
"Mount Justice," I replied. "Justice League headquarters."
That gave him pause. "The Justice League is involved in this?"
"They will be," I said, not technically lying. Batman knew where I was taking them, which meant the League would be informed shortly.
Gordon studied me for a long moment. "You really believe Barbara is in that much danger."
It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "I know she is. The Joker doesn't make idle threats, and he doesn't bluff. If he's identified her as a way to get to me, he will act on it the moment he has opportunity."
Barbara appeared in the doorway behind me, a small bag in hand. "Dad, I think we should listen to him. I've never seen Samael like this before."
Gordon looked between us, his expression unreadable. "I have responsibilities, Barbara. I can't just disappear."
"You can call in from the secure facility," I countered. "But you can't perform your duties if you're worried about Barbara's safety. And you can't protect her from the Joker, not effectively."
Gordon's jaw tightened. "I've dealt with the Joker before."
"Not like this," I said quietly. "Not when he's targeting Barbara specifically to get to someone else. This isn't about Gotham or Batman or his usual games. This is personal."
A heavy silence fell over the room as Gordon processed this. Finally, he nodded once, decisively. "Give me five minutes to pack and make a call to the department. Then we'll discuss transportation."
"I'll handle transportation," I said, relieved that he wasn't going to fight me on this. "Be ready in five minutes."
As Gordon gathered his things, I stepped into the hallway with Barbara. She was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read - concern mixed with something else.
"This is about more than just a notebook, isn't it?" she asked quietly. "Something about this has you truly frightened."
I met her gaze directly. "The Joker is the most dangerous person in Gotham, possibly in the world.
Not because of powers or abilities, but because he has no limits. No boundaries. No lines he won't cross. When he targets someone, the consequences are... devastating."
"And he's targeted me to get to you," she concluded. "Because of our relationship."
The word 'relationship' hung in the air between us, carrying all the complexity of what had developed from our strategic alliance into something neither of us had fully defined.
"Yes," I confirmed. "And I won't let him hurt you because of me."
Her expression softened slightly. "This isn't your fault, Samael."
"It doesn't matter whose fault it is," I replied. "All that matters is keeping you safe."
Gordon emerged from his room, a small duffel bag in one hand and his service weapon in the other. "Alright, Samael. I've notified the department that I'll be working remotely due to a security concern. Now, how exactly are you planning to transport us to this secure facility?"
In answer, I activated the Ultimatrix again, transforming back into XLR8. Gordon stumbled back in shock, his weapon instinctively coming up before he controlled the reaction.
"What the hell?" he exclaimed.
"Dad!" Barbara moved to his side, placing a calming hand on his arm. "It's still Samael. This is... his ability."
"I can transport you both to Mount Justice in minutes," I explained, my voice altered by the transformation. "It's faster and more secure than any conventional transportation."
Gordon stared at me, clearly struggling to reconcile the teenager he knew with the alien form before him. "Batman knows about this?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "As does the Justice League. It's why I'm being assessed and trained."
Gordon lowered his weapon slowly, his expression a mixture of shock and resignation. He already knew about Chromastone, but not this. "Barbara, did you know about this?"
"Not the specifics," she admitted. "But I knew there was something... different about Samael."
Gordon holstered his weapon with a sigh. "I'm too old for this kind of surprise. Fine. How do we do this?"
"I'll need to carry you one at a time," I explained. "Barbara first, then I'll return for you, Commissioner."
Gordon nodded reluctantly. "Go. The sooner we get to this secure facility, the sooner I can get some answers."
I approached Barbara, who looked remarkably calm considering the circumstances. "This will feel strange," I warned her. "Everything will blur, and there might be some disorientation. Close your eyes if it helps."
She nodded, and I carefully lifted her in my arms, securing her bag as well. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be," she replied, her arms tightening around my neck.
With that, I accelerated, racing out of the house and through the streets of Gotham at speeds that rendered us virtually invisible to the human eye.
Barbara gasped and buried her face against my shoulder, her grip tightening as the world blurred around us.
The journey to Mount Justice took less than fifteen minutes at XLR8's top speed - that isn't dangerous to Barbara - significantly longer than my solo trip to the Gordon residence due to the added weight and my careful moderation of acceleration to avoid injuring Barbara.
When we arrived at the mountain's hidden entrance, I slowed gradually to prevent jarring her and set her gently on her feet. She swayed slightly, disoriented from the high-speed journey.
"That was... intense," she managed, steadying herself against me.
"Wait here," I instructed. "The entrance will recognize me when I return with your father. I'll be back in less than thirty minutes."
She nodded, still looking slightly dazed. "Samael... thank you. For caring this much."
Something in her tone made me pause. "I won't let anything happen to you, Barbara. Not while I have the power to prevent it."
Before she could respond, I accelerated again, racing back to Gotham to retrieve Commissioner Gordon. He was waiting exactly where I'd left him, service weapon holstered but expression guarded.
"Barbara arrived safely," I reported. "Ready for your journey, Commissioner?"
He nodded grimly. "Let's get this over with."
The return trip with Gordon was similar, though his greater weight required slightly more careful navigation. He remained stoically silent throughout, his expression unreadable behind the visor of my XLR8 form.
When we arrived at Mount Justice, I found Barbara waiting exactly where I'd left her, though now she was accompanied by a familiar figure in a black cape and cowl.
"Batman," I acknowledged, setting Gordon down carefully.
"Samael," he replied, his tone neutral but with an undercurrent of disapproval. "I see you've taken it upon yourself to implement emergency protocols without authorization."
"The situation warranted immediate action," I replied, transforming back to human form. "The Joker has specifically targeted Barbara. I wasn't willing to wait for committee approval to ensure her safety."
Commissioner Gordon, still looking slightly disoriented from the high-speed journey, straightened his glasses and fixed Batman with a hard stare.
"Someone want to explain exactly what's going on here? And why my daughter is in danger from a criminal currently locked in Arkham's maximum security wing?"
"Inside," Batman directed, gesturing toward the hidden entrance to the mountain. "The full situation requires secure briefing."
The entrance recognized Batman's authorization, opening to reveal the familiar corridor leading into the mountain's interior.
As we entered, I noticed Barbara watching me with an expression I couldn't quite decipher - something between concern and a deeper emotion I wasn't prepared to analyze.
The main chamber of Mount Justice was dimly lit, with only emergency lighting active at this early hour.
Batman led us to the briefing area, where the computer terminals were already displaying the contents of the Joker's notebook.
"Arkham security discovered this during a routine cell inspection," Batman explained to Gordon. "Dr. Harleen Quinzel had already reported concerning statements the Joker made during therapy sessions regarding Samael and, by extension, those connected to him."
Gordon studied the displayed pages, his expression darkening as he read the Joker's notes about Barbara. "And you believe this constitutes an immediate threat warranting middle-of-the-night extraction?"
"I believe the Joker represents a unique threat that justifies unusual precautions," Batman replied carefully. "Samael's... method of implementation was not authorized, but his concern for Barbara's safety is not unfounded."
Gordon turned to me, his expression hard. "And why exactly has the Joker fixated on you, young man? What connection do you have to him that would put my daughter in danger?"
I met his gaze steadily. "I confronted him during his attempt to build a dimensional device.
I challenged his philosophy and prevented his plan from succeeding. In his mind, that makes me a player in his twisted game with Batman - and anyone connected to me becomes a potential target."
"Connected to you," Gordon repeated, glancing between Barbara and me. "Because of your... relationship."
The word carried the same weight it had when Barbara used it earlier, though with a distinctly paternal undertone of suspicion.
"Yes," I confirmed simply. "The Joker has identified Barbara as someone I care about, which makes her valuable in his eyes - not as a person, but as a piece in his game."
Gordon's expression softened slightly as he looked at his daughter. "And you believed the threat was severe enough to justify this extreme response?"
"Again, I believe the Joker never makes idle threats," I replied. "And I believe Barbara's safety is worth any measure necessary to ensure it."
A heavy silence fell over the room as Gordon processed this. Finally, he turned to Batman. "How long do you expect this 'protective custody' to last?"
"Until the Joker is confirmed contained or the specific threat is neutralized," Batman replied.
"Mount Justice has secure communications that will allow you to continue your duties remotely.
Your department has been informed that you're working from a secure location due to a credible threat."
Gordon nodded slowly. "And Barbara's schooling?"
"Can be continued remotely as well," Batman assured him. "The facility is equipped with all necessary resources."
"And who else resides here?" Gordon asked, the protective father evident in his tone.
"The facility serves as a training center for young heroes," Batman explained. "It is monitored by Justice League members on a rotating basis.
Currently, there are five regular residents, all of whom have undergone extensive background checks and training."
Gordon sighed deeply. "I don't like this. Any of it. But I understand the necessity." He fixed me with a hard stare.
"Next time, though, I expect to be consulted before decisions are made about my daughter's safety. Clear?"
"Crystal," I replied, though we both knew I would make the same choice again if circumstances required it.
Batman nodded. "I'll show you to your quarters. Both of you will have private rooms in the residential wing.
The facility's security systems are among the most advanced on the planet. You'll be safe here."
As Batman led Gordon away to show him the accommodations, Barbara remained behind, studying me with that same unreadable expression.
"You were willing to go against Batman's orders to keep me safe," she said quietly once we were alone. "That's... not a small thing."
"Your safety isn't negotiable," I replied simply. "Not to me."
She stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "This goes beyond our strategic alliance, doesn't it?"
The question hung in the air between us, demanding an honesty I hadn't fully acknowledged even to myself.
"Yes," I admitted finally. "It does."
She nodded slowly, as if confirming something she'd already suspected. "Good. Because it does for me too."
Before I could respond, she closed the distance between us and kissed me - not the calculated, strategic kiss from the yacht party, but something genuine and unplanned.
When she pulled back, her expression was resolute. "Whatever happens next, whatever the Joker is planning, we'll face it together. Clear?"
Despite everything - the danger, the uncertainty, the complications of my larger mission in this world - I found myself smiling. "Crystal."
Batman and Gordon returned a few minutes later, both looking slightly uncomfortable at finding us standing closer together than strictly necessary for conversation.
"Your quarters have been prepared," Batman informed us. "The team will be briefed on the situation in the morning. For now, I suggest you both get some rest. It's been a long night."
As we moved toward the residential wing, I felt Barbara's hand slip into mine - a small gesture of connection that carried more weight than any alliance we'd formed before.
The Joker had targeted her to get to me, believing she was my weakness.
But in that moment, I realized she might actually be my strength - a reminder of why this world was worth fighting for, why the path I'd chosen mattered.
Whatever the Joker was planning, whatever twisted game he sought to play, one thing was absolutely certain: I would not let him hurt Barbara. Not in this world. Not while I had the power to stop him.
Even if I have to kill him.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked this chapter!
Before anyone says anything - yes, Samael's approach to getting to Mount Justice could've been better, but, this is me showing how panicked he is that he can't think anything beyond getting Barbara safe no matter what.
So yeah, do tell me how you found it and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)