dc with power of digimon

Chapter 25: The Watchful Robin

(Dick Grayson's POV – A Game of Masks and Wits)

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Observing from the Shadows

Dick Grayson had seen a lot of weird things in Gotham.

But watching Joshua mess with Barbara Gordon?

That was a new level of chaos.

He leaned casually against a row of lockers, arms crossed, watching the two of them trade barbs like seasoned fencers. Joshua was cocky, calculated, and always in control. Barbara, despite her irritation, was sharp, relentless, and refusing to back down.

It was like watching two predators circle each other, waiting for the other to make a mistake.

And Dick?

Dick was just enjoying the show.

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The Morning Duel

It started early.

Barbara had been eyeing Joshua all morning, her gaze filled with suspicion. Dick didn't blame her. Something about the guy didn't add up.

But the moment Joshua turned around with dramatic flair and shouted—

"Oh, my sweet Juliet! When will you find my true heart?"

Dick choked on his coffee.

Barbara's entire face turned red as students around them stopped to watch the spectacle unfold.

Joshua's smirk only widened as he stepped closer, eyes full of mischief.

"Still thinking about me, huh?" he teased.

Barbara's hands clenched into fists, and for a second, Dick swore she was about to punch him.

Instead, she gritted her teeth and stormed off.

Joshua leaned against a locker, looking far too pleased with himself.

Dick shook his head.

This guy was playing with fire.

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Keeping an Eye on Joshua

Dick wasn't just watching for fun.

He was watching because Bruce told him to.

Ever since Joshua showed up, Bruce had been on edge—more than usual.

A kid with no past?

Adopted by Bruce Wayne?

Living in the manor?

Something was off.

Bruce didn't trust him. And if Bruce didn't trust someone, neither did Dick.

So here he was, playing the role of the carefree student, while really keeping Joshua under surveillance.

And what he saw?

It didn't make sense.

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Lunch – Barbara's Counterattack

Joshua sat down with his tray, barely getting a bite of food before Barbara launched her next attack.

She dropped into the seat across from him, eyes gleaming with determination.

"So, Romeo," she said sweetly. "Where exactly did you come from again?"

Joshua raised an eyebrow and swallowed his food.

"The stars," he replied smoothly. "Fell down one day and decided Gotham looked fun."

Dick snorted.

Barbara wasn't impressed.

"Try again."

Joshua grinned. "Why? Wishing you were my tragic love story?"

Dick almost expected Barbara to throw her drink at him.

Instead, she leaned forward, her voice quieter now.

"I just think it's funny," she said. "How someone with no past just magically becomes Bruce Wayne's new kid."

Joshua's grin didn't fade. "You should be a detective."

Barbara smirked. "Maybe I will be."

Dick froze.

She had no idea what she was walking into.

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Gym Class – More Clues

Dick kept watching as Joshua toyed with her.

Little things.

A jump that was too high in gym class. A reflex that was too fast. A comment about Gotham's future heroes that made Dick's stomach twist.

Was he being careless?

Or was he doing it on purpose?

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The Final Move

As the last bell rang, Joshua turned and gave Barbara a cocky wink.

"Until tomorrow, my Juliet."

Barbara groaned. "I hate you."

Joshua just laughed, walking away with his usual easy confidence.

But as he disappeared down the hall, Dick saw something Barbara didn't.

For just a moment, Joshua's smirk faded.

His expression turned calculating. Cold. Like he was already planning his next move.

And that?

That was what worried Dick the most.

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End of Chapter.

Chapter 26: A Game of Wits and Shadows

(Bruce Wayne & Alfred Pennyworth's POV – Watching the Game Unfold)

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Bruce Wayne – The Silent Observer

Bruce Wayne had always been good at reading people. It was a necessary skill—not just as Batman but as Gotham's most scrutinized billionaire. Every handshake, every conversation, every smile was a mask hiding something underneath.

And right now?

Joshua was wearing his mask well.

But Bruce saw through it.

Seated in his office at Wayne Enterprises, he casually tapped into the security feed, watching the high school's surveillance cameras. Joshua and Barbara Gordon were locked in a battle neither of them realized was happening.

Barbara, sharp as ever, was trying to piece together Joshua's past. She was relentless, pressing him for answers, cornering him with logic, testing his patience.

But Joshua?

Joshua was having fun.

His responses were too smooth. Too quick. Not the kind of dodges a normal teenager would come up with. He wasn't just avoiding her suspicion—he was playing with it.

Bruce leaned forward, watching as Joshua dramatically threw an arm over his chest and proclaimed himself Barbara's Romeo.

"Oh, my sweet Juliet! When will you find my true heart?"

Barbara's face turned red—with anger, frustration, and just a little bit of embarrassment.

The school hallway erupted with laughter.

Bruce sighed.

He's toying with her.

But why?

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Alfred Pennyworth – The Butler's Perspective

Across town, Alfred Pennyworth set down his tea and glanced at the large screen in the Batcave.

He had seen Bruce monitor criminal masterminds, assassins, and metahumans on that screen.

And now?

Now he was watching two teenagers engage in what might as well be a Victorian courtship battle.

"Master Wayne," Alfred said dryly, "is it truly necessary to monitor Master Joshua's romantic misadventures?"

Bruce didn't look away. "It's not romance. It's strategy."

Alfred raised an eyebrow. "For whom?"

Bruce didn't answer.

Because truthfully?

He wasn't sure.

Was Joshua testing Barbara?

Or was he simply amused by her tenacity?

Either way, he was winning.

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Joshua's Game of Cat and Mouse

Joshua sat in the cafeteria, idly poking at his food while Barbara sat across from him, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

"You never answered my question," she said, tapping her fingers against the table.

Joshua blinked innocently. "Which one?"

Barbara scowled. "Where did you come from?"

Joshua smirked. "Didn't I say? The stars."

Barbara's eyes narrowed. "That's not an answer."

Joshua leaned forward, lowering his voice as if about to share some grand secret.

"But it is. Maybe I was sent here for a reason. Maybe I have some grand destiny. Maybe I'm just here… to mess with you."

Barbara glared. "You're infuriating."

Joshua just grinned. "And yet, you can't stop talking to me."

Dick, sitting nearby, snorted into his drink.

Barbara groaned. "I hate you."

Joshua chuckled. "Yet here we are."

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The Butler's Analysis

Back in the Batcave, Alfred watched the interaction unfold with mild amusement.

"Master Joshua certainly has a way with words."

Bruce sighed. "That's what worries me."

Alfred chuckled. "Oh? Not the fact that he can transform into a fire-breathing monster?"

Bruce didn't respond. He simply watched.

Because beneath Joshua's carefree attitude, beneath his jokes, his smirks, and his dramatic gestures—

Bruce saw it.

The calculation.

The cold amusement.

Joshua wasn't just playing with Barbara.

He was studying her. Testing her limits. Pushing her, just to see how far she'd go.

And that?

That was dangerous.

Not because Joshua was evil.

But because he was enjoying it.

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Barbara's Breaking Point

By the time gym class rolled around, Barbara was done.

Joshua had spent the entire morning dodging every question, twisting every answer, and making her the center of attention.

And worse?

She was starting to enjoy the battle.

She knew he was hiding something.

And she was going to find out what it was.

As they stood in line for the next round of physical exercises, she glanced at him.

"You're fast."

Joshua stretched lazily. "I try."

"Too fast."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Are you accusing me of something?"

Barbara smirked. "Not yet."

Joshua chuckled. "Well, keep digging, Detective Gordon."

Barbara's breath hitched.

Detective Gordon.

He knows my dad is a cop.

She hadn't told him.

How did he know?

Joshua saw her reaction and grinned. "Oops. Did I say something interesting?"

Barbara glared.

Joshua just walked away, whistling.

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The Verdict

Back in the Batcave, Alfred poured another cup of tea.

Bruce finally leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.

"He's testing her."

Alfred nodded. "And enjoying himself immensely."

Bruce sighed.

This was going to be a problem.

Because if Barbara Gordon was stubborn enough to keep digging…

And if Joshua was smart enough to keep leading her in circles…

Eventually, something was going to break.

And when it did?

Bruce had no idea which one of them would win.

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End of Chapter.