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Everyone was starting to drag themselves to the showers or labs, chatting and discussing the patrol and current cases, when the Batcomputer lit up with an emergency call from Captain Marvel.
Like sharks sniffing blood in water, most stopped in their tracks as Bruce, stopped in the middle of typing up some code and frowned at the screen.
He sighed and, before pulling his cowl back down, cast a look at his kids to make sure no one without masks was in camera’s range, and then accepted the call.
“Batman!” Captain Marvel’s face filled up the screen, the background dark with blitzing light, showing that the hero was currently flying, “Wonderful, I need your help, I only have 2 days and a girl's life is on the line, I need to know about all the exhibits that have been shown in the Gotham museums or universities between last year September and this year's July.”
All present bats and birds looked at each other and then at the very distressed Captain and paused in whatever they were doing.
This was shaping up to be interesting. And they were proven right as the story spilled from the clearly distressed hero’s mouth.
_x_
As it developed, the story involved a pretty girl and a guy who was certain she was destined to be his. In this unfortunate case, the guy was possessing of some significant magic and knew how to use it.
Of course, the guy was from Gotham, meeting the young woman a month after she moved to Gotham for an year-long internship. The internship went well, but the guy caused such discomfort for her that she decided to leave Gotham for work in another city
When she moved to Fawcett City after to start her new job, he followed and confessed his love.
And then flew into an rage when she rejected him, and his distinctly creepy vibes made her get an restraining order.
So he went for his backup plan, cursing the woman to be trapped so she could suffer in different historic times until she confessed that she loved him, which would finally free her from the curse but also permanently bind her to him.
The problem, Captain Marvel explained with a furious frown on his face, was that he had “anchored his spell in historic artifacts, most of which he came across in Gotham, one way or another.” Given all that the good Captain had been able to dig up about the dude, most items had definitely at one point been displayed at the Gotham museums or universities.
And since the good Captain was not looking for death by investigating Gotham himself, he settled for making a phone call as he flew to collect Zatanna for help.
_x_
“Gods, do you even know what subtle means?” Stephanie asked Jason, watching the guide leave in a huff, “We are supposed to make as little fuss as possible and fly under the radar.”
“Kinda hard to do that when we are lobster red and stand out like the foreigners we are.” Tim muttered, having hacked the city palace’s security system on his phone, he was looking through their collection to make sure there wasn’t another magical weapon hidden here that they needed.
Jason ignored Stephanie, gearing up to make trouble for whichever guide or guard came close enough next. He had been happily researching all the magical weapons that the Jaipur royal family had to better narrow down their target, and thus was having fun screwing with the local guides by asking the most stupid questions.
“We are hardly the only foreigners here.” Stephanie pointed out, in none too subtle a way, staring at a Dutch couple just ahead of them exiting the weapons exhibit and the definitely French older women humming and hawing at whatever the guide was telling her.
“If they see how much trouble we are making and how we stand out, they won’t think we are the ones to have stolen the Maru.” Jason said, casting a fond look at all the guns in the armory.
Tim looked up briefly to frown at him, “We are merely borrowing it, we are to return it later unless we want the loop to continue. Also, we need to disperse, the guards will look at us suspiciously otherwise.”
Stephanie didn’t bother telling him the ship had long since passed. Given the way the guard standing at the door was looking at them, Steph doubted they would be easily forgotten in the foreigner crowd, but she shrugged, all the ‘borrowing’ would happen late at night so who knows.
Nobody would think rude mouthy tourists, doing their best at a British accent, were American vigilantes. Steph was not taking that bet, no sir.
“As soon as we get back, though, I am going to commission a Maru for myself.” Jason said, mouth turning up in a grin.
Steph shook her head as Tim made an interested hum, “Zatana and the Captain have found our prep.”
Jason’s grin if anything got bigger.
_x_
“Can we leave already?” Duke asked as he looked around Stettin’s national museum’s collection of small Greek vases and vessels, all presenting no obvious magic except three.
There were no other clues to look for here, he didn’t think, unless they bought out the special equipment , which they could not do before nightfall, all decked up.
Damian next to them clicked his tongue, “I am going back downstairs to the mystery of light exhibition Grayson, Thomas you are welcome to join me.”
Duke shook his head, eyeing the many children that were loudly climbing up the stairs and the many girls that had been shooting glances towards them. It probably had something to do with Damian’s sudden desire to immerse himself in Christian iconography.
“Gods, you really are like B.” Dick said to Damien, as the other dodged his hand attempting to ruffle his hair, “We still have to look for whatever anchor the wizard used to get here.” Dick reminded Duke, before he could comment.
With easy grace he went back to looking around the balcony where the Greek artifacts, both copies and originals, were kept.
Damian walked across the balcony to the other side, where the African exhibition was. As soon as the children were all on the first floor, he walked down as fast as possible.
Duke could not believe he had been roped into going with these two to Poland. He should have known better than to trust Dick and his ‘It’ll be like a vacation!’ speech.
Still, at least he was not stuck in India, there was only so much drama he could handle in a day. Though, Hamburg definitely would have been a better idea.
_x_
“It’s a coin from the late 1500s, either from Hamburg or Ulm or Florence.” Barbara’s voice was tinny in Cassandra’s earphones but she gave a hum as she looked at the vast collection of coins on display at the Hamburg Historic museum.
Harper sighed, whispering under her breath to ask, “Is it on display or will we have to do some digging?”
Barbara replied after a pause, “It’s on display, but not in the room you are in.”
Kate sighed, standing up straight from where she was bent to read the small inscriptions next to the coins on display.
The next room was modeled to look like the inside of a medieval house, with a lot of furniture and there, next to a huge chest, a display of medieval weights and coins.
The device in Kate’s hands vibrated harder, the closer they got to the display, that was made to look like a study table, with paper, quill, weights and a spread of coins everywhere.
“Well, this will be fun to find.” Harper said, thankful that they had come at 2 in the morning and not during operating hours, “Let’s get it out and make our way back to Gotham before B decides to fly out here.”
_x_
They arrived at the cave in fits and bursts, tumbling in trios one after the other. It was night in Gotham and Jetleg was a bitch in that they were both tired and yet too keyed up given their usual nighttime activities.
The idea to go in threes was given by Captain Marvel because “The magic uses the rule of three, so it will be easier and safer for you to find the cursed items if you go in threes.”
The idea to go simultaneously and arrive back before it was night in Gotham was not an idea given by him, but a common consensus accidentally reached. The blame game still continued on, though, fueled by bets and a deep-seated sibling rivalry.
Given that all of them had been able to come back with what they were looking for, the idea was altogether a success. Even if the process of choosing the trios could not be called anything but a disaster, the kind that precluded The Great Game Room fiasco, that shall never again be named or staged. Promise.
“We are taking the boom tube to Fawcett City.” Batman said, once they were all assembled in the cave, “Only 2 of you need to accompany me, the rest will patrol as normal.”
There were groans all around and then scrambling and furious chatter as they tried to decide which unfortunate soul was making the sacrifice to go with Bruce.
When Dick one again unearthed the box of wooden chips with all their names, all the bats and birds as once Boo’d.
“It’s a good and fair way, you guys!” Dick protested over their shouts.
Jason tiptoed towards the motorbikes, and the others only stopped grumbling when his bike riveted and he sped out of the Batcave with a loud, “Bye losers!”
The idea sparked instantly and everyone sprinted to make their way to their respective vehicles.
Dick Grayson knowing where this was leading just grabbed for his nearest sibling and found himself holding onto Duke.
“Come on Man, have mercy!” he said, eyes going bigger in an attempt to get out of this, “Besides I rarely patrol during the night, don’t you think I should get to sit this out?”
“Nonsense!” Dick chirped, all too happy to spread misery, “Think of this as experience, besides we need some more brotherly bonding. This is a good chance as any, come on!”
His grip was iron tight as he took the box of their precious, magic’d historical items in one hand and tugged Duke behind him with the other in the direction of the tube.
_x_
The girl, young woman really, was anger incarnate as she tore into Steve, “Did you honestly think it would impress me?!”
Because the guy was called Steve. Steve. Signal cannot believe this is his life.
Steve cowered on her living room floor, rendered immobile and mute after his third attempted run. Signal was rather proud of his handy work.
“Did you think cursing me would make we want to go out with you?!” She shouted again and Nightwing was clapping in the background, only held back from shouting ‘you go girl!’ to not steal her thunder and anger.
“Ms Madels, we are nearly done, please wait a bit more before you step out of the circle.” Zatana reminded, as she and Captain Marvel concentrated on breaking her connection to the items.
The women, Ms Millie Madels, huffed, dropping herself in the circle again, her glare enough to render flesh from bone even as her shaking hands gave away her fear.
Batman and Nightwing read over whatever readings the special computer was spitting. (Duke was not annoyed that he was not far enough in his training to understand them, no sir). Bruce nodded to whatever Nightwing said and made his way closer to Signal’s position in the cramped apartment.
Nightwing grinned at him when he saw him scowling and beckoned him closer. Duke cast a look at Steve, still securely bound, and made his way over.
“Wipe the anger off your face before you become too much like B,” He said, pulling a snort from Signal, “You will learn what we are reading soon enough, for now observe and note your questions in your head so that you can hit the books back at the cave.”
Signal nodded, turning towards the older vigilante, “It was pretty ingenious of him to add the curse to exhibitions that were on loan from other countries. Evil, obviously, but he insured that breaking the curse would not be easy.”
Nightwing nodded, “Yes, that is also the reason Captain decided to call Zatanna in, in case of any more nasty surprises. What does that teach us?”
Signal looked at his senior of many years and older annoying brother in all but blood, head tilted to the side to show his raised eyebrow in a way he could not do with his helmet in place, “Calling for help is a good idea?”
Nightwing’s smile widened, “Yes. Though most cases are rarely as easy to solve as this one turned out to be, but always remember, reaching out when you need help is a good idea.”
“Say that to Batman, I dare you.” Signal challenged, as Nightwing cast him a look.
“You think I haven’t? And won’t again?” Nightwing challenged back and, at Signal’s shrug, drew himself up. “You have seen nothing yet, young padawan.”
Before Singal could respond, The Circle around Ms Madels lit up, a vicious looking blue -gray smoke rising from the vase, coin and weapon.
The rising smoke screeched and went to attack Steve. Batman was already there, with a staff at the ready (and when did he get that? Signal wondered) that he used to hit the smoke.
Captain Marvel got up, a crystal in his hand, that he threw at smoke, only for it to glow bright twice and begin sucking in the creature.
Zatanna continued with what she was doing, muttering spells under her breath as the circle glowed brighter still, before the light slowly faded away.
“Ms Madels, you are now free from the curse. “ Zatanna assured as the young woman looked around, confused and a little scared.
Her smile was tumultuous as she tried to stand up, near collapsing on her shaky legs if not for Captain Marvel.
Nightwing made his way to Zatanna, handing her a water bottle, asking in a quiet tone if she was alright.
Signal made his way to Batman, ( and Steve ), “Did you expect the magic to react like that?” he asked, tilting his head towards the staff to show in which direction his curiosity lay.
Batman hmm’d, “He was using spirits to do his bidding, it was not unlikely that they would try to take revenge on him. It pays to be prepared for everything.”
Signal nodded, that was indeed good advice, “What will happen to Steve here?”
“He will be coming with me.” Captain Marvel said, coming closer, “His magic will be bound and then I will deliver him to the police for whenever Ms Madels decides to press charges. Currently, she is both too angry and too shaken at what happened.”
“And that is entirely her right. “ Nightwing added, coming closer, Zatanna at one side.
Batman nodded, looking at Captain Marvel “Would you need assistance in handling clean up?”
“Nah, I have it.” He said, picking up Steve and throwing him over his shoulder and extending the other to Zatanna “Thank you guys for your help!”
The others followed him outside and as he took off. Both he and Zatanna gave a wave and disappeared towards wherever they were planning to take him to bind his Magic.
Signal was sure Batman and Nightwing would have the answer, but it was about to be sunrise and it was still a weekday.
Though, maybe-
“Can I skip school today?”
“No.”