Dick’s POV

“I can’t believe you just left that woman there!” I complained to Bruce. We’d taken that mugger to the police station and left him there tied up. So we knew commissioner Gordon could handle him.“She’s fine.”

“Yeah, but how do you know that?” I asked and narrowed my eyes. “Because I do.” He put simply. “But we have something more important to talk about.”

“And that is?” I asked as we walked over to the Bat Computer. “This.” He said, before pulling up a file covered in stats and formulas. “This is something we found in Catmus. It’s project name was Cat-Call. I’m telling you this because it hits a little too close to home for comfort.” He typed a few keys and brought up genetic code. “They made a clone of Selina Kyle and infused her with more things than the League can count. Most of this stuff hasn’t even be heard of.”

“So what are we supposed to do?” Bruce sighed at my question. “We’re going to find her and hopefully before anything bad can happen. If these readings are right, she just might be able to destroy the whole city if she wanted to.”

“Well, do we know what she looks like?” Bruce his the keyboard hard. “No. All we have are blurry videos of test they ran on her.”

“Well, if she’s found Selina by now, then we’ll run into them eventually.” I said, trying to look on the bright side of this.

“That’s what I’m worried about.” Bruce said, before finding his cape and leaving the cave. “What’s up with him?” I asked myself.

Ruby’s POV

I’d changed out of my outfit and into some pajama shorts and a tank top last night and when I woke up, found that my top was still covering my chest but practically turned around. I sighed as I fixed it. “Good morning!” I said as I entered the kitchen. Mom was sipping some milk and reading the paper at the table when I came it. “Oh, good morning Ruby. I ordered us some pizza so it should arrive soon.” I slide into the seat next to mom. “Yeah, hey mom. I had a question.”

“Sure hun. What is it?” I fidgeted with my fingers before asking. “Why did you name me Ruby?”

Mom sighed and set all her things down. “Because, every since I started this... life, I decided that if I ever had a child, I’d name them after some kind of precious metal or jewel, because they’d be my precious metal or jewel. That’s why I named you Ruby.” There was a pause. Then mom laughed. “Look at me getting all sentimental!” She straightened herself up.

“Now, I have a question for you. What did they make you out of?” She asked eagerly. I thought about this. “Well, for starters, your DNA, but I have a titanium infused into my skeleton underneath my skin. Um, different kinds of cat DNA to ensure good sight, endurance, hearing, and agility.Oh! And healing saliva! Then there’s something that the doctors called, ‘Impetum Modo’ which is Latin for Attack Mode. I’ve only ever used it once, and let’s just say it didn’t go well, so they told me never to use it. But I can use the rest of my cat powers fine.”

Mom nodded. “Alright. Now I suspect they taught you how to fight correct?” I nodded. “So now I need to teach you about how to fight against the Bird?”

“I guess so.” She clapped her hands together. “Perfect. We start when you get some real clothes on.”

Once I’d changed into a black skirt and white blouse mom sat me down on the couch. “First thing to know is that I always go for the Bat and you are always to go for the Bird, no matter what. Second, when you’re Catgirl you have to always talk flirty and have a sexy tone about you, that way it throws them off. And lastly,” She paused. “Always use whatever you can to your advantage.” I nodded with heat in my cheeks. “I know this might be a bit much right now, but trust me. You’ll do well knowing it. And there’s one more thing.” She leaned in and whispered. “You’ll encounter the Bird at your school so what I’m about to tell you stays between us because in both worlds I’ll need you to get to him.” I nodded. “I don’t remember his name, but he’s Bruce’s adopted son. So make sure you befriend him first chance you can.” I nodded again and mom smiled.

Then there was a ding at the door. “That must be the pizza, Ruby, I need you to stay out of sight. Until I’ve shut the door, just to be safe.” I nodded and hid in the room mom had set up for me.

I waited for at least thirty minutes before mom finally told me I could come out. The smell of pizza was mouthwatering. “Well dig in. Here’s a plate.” I took the plate and opened the box. It was a plain cheese pizza. “Sorry, I didn’t know if you’d want anything on it so I just got plain.” mom apologized. I shook my head. “Not even I’d know what I’d want. I’ve never had pizza before.” I giggled and mom smiled. “Well, I hope you like it.”

When the box was finished I’d had six pieces and mom only two. I never knew how hungry I was until I saw that pizza. I guess being feed by an IV tube has its drawbacks. “Now what?” I asked. “Now, I take you to get your IQ test done, and then tomorrow your schedule will come in and then we get your uniform and after that we set up for our job.” She stood and walked into her room, to put on her hair and glasses I’d assume. “Ruby, grab your shoes!” Mom called as I scurried to put on me shoes.

“Alright, show time!” Mom said as she ushered me to the car. It was a quiet ride, so the twelve minutes it took to get to the school were very awkward and very tense.

“Remember, I can’t come in with you when you take your test, alright? And since I’m going to trust you to know the way home, I’ve got to get a special treat for tonight.” I nodded as we pulled to the front of the school building. We both got out of door and I felt my heart rate increase rapidly. It was so big. Bigger than Catmus.

“Well, come on. Let’s get this done.” Mom said, slipping on her glasses. We walked into the building to find someone waiting for us in the lobby. “Hello, my name is Jeanette, and I’ll be your guide today.” The woman said in a neutral tone. “Name?” She asked, looking at her clipboard. “Ruby Maraschino. You know like the cherry.” mom said. Jeanette looked up and then back at her board. “Please follow me.” She turned and we followed. “Once you take the test, and we place you, you can walk the halls and learn where all your classes are and how to get to them the quickest.” She stopped in front of a door. “Please step inside.” mom gripped my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. “This is where I leave you. Do well and we’ll celebrate once you get home.” I nodded and left mom behind as I entered the room.

There was a tall, lean man sitting at a desk. “Hello miss, my name is Philip Wilcox, the dean of this school. And you are?”

“Ruby Maraschino, Sir.” I said. “Well Miss Maraschino. Please, have a seat.” I sat across from him. He placed a packet in front of me. “This is a standardized test. Please, don’t feel rushed, take your time.” I nodded and started the test. It was pretty simple considering all the information my Gnome’s gave me when I was still at Catmus. It was truly just a bunch of word problems, multiple choice, and matching. I completed it in at least less than an hour.

“Here you are, Sir.” I handed him the packet and stood. “Now, I must really be on my way. I look forward to see what you place me in. Good day.” I said as I exited the small room. When I got outside I noticed it was starting to get dark.

Heading home I started to get preoccupied with the thought of meeting Robin in the both of the worlds that I’ll soon live in. In fact I was so stuck in this thought that I hadn’t even realized that I was beginning to get mugged until my body was thrown against a wall. I gave out a little cry. It hurt, but not as bad as other thing I’d been through.

“Well, aren’t you a cute little morsel.” The man said. He flipped out his knife and lightly pressed the tip to my chin. “Oh ho ho. I do like ‘em young.” I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even find it in myself to scream. I couldn’t even lift my knee to get him in between the legs. He started to trace his knife down my neck, and then to my chest. “Nice rack.” He commented. That’s when I started to scream. He clasped his hand over my mouth. “Oh no you don’t. Don’t need that Bat or Bird ruining our fun now do we?”

“Too late!” A voice said, before the man went flying back into the trash cans nearby. I let out ragged breaths and clutched my arms around myself as I watched the fight unfurl in front of my eyes. The man stood up with blood slowly flowing from his head. “That hurt punk!” He said before taking off running at... it was Robin! Wait, but where was Batman?

Robin flipped over the man and then kicked him back into the same pile of trash he’d just came up from. Robin then grabbed a trash lid and banged it against the mans head to make sure he was out cold. He sighed and looked over at me. “You okay?” He asked. It wasn’t until now that I realized that I was shaking like a leaf. “Y-yeah.” I said, blushing slightly. “T-thanks.” He shrugged. “All part of the job.” He grabbed the mugger under his arm as if he was preparing to leave. “Wait!” I said. Not even I know why I did it, but I quickly kissed Robin on the cheek. “Really. Thank you.” I said, before stepping back and quickly made my way out the alley and back home to mom.

Dick’s POV

She kissed me. That was the only thought on my mind after I dropped off the mugger at the police department.

That was truly a first for me. No girl had ever kissed me before, I mean sure it was on the cheek, but still. “Ah, Master Dick. Returning from a night brigade I see. How did it go?” Alfred asked. I could tell by the look on his face that was smiling like an idiot.

“Better than I’d ever expected.” I told him.