Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (10/42)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Rainbow Prisms Arc) (10/42)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, George Fontaine, Dick, Kathy Kane, Barbara Gordon
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark finally learns about his identity and heritage. Will that knowledge tear him and Bruce apart? Meanwhile, Rebellion and Abolition twist and turn in the pageantry of events.
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Challenge, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Training sessions go on in two Bat-Manors.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 21, 2010
Date Of Posting: September 30, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1209
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
“Well-tuned bodies are a joy.”
Galactic Fitness
(Slogan)
2177 C.E.
X
TRAINING
Bruce was well-pleased with the job that his silversmith had done on Clark’s new manacles and collar. They were perfect matches for the Rainbow Kryptonite jewelry. No one but an expert would be able to tell the difference.
Bruce had casually lied through his teeth about the reason for the new set, of course. He had blithely said he had needed a back-up and did not want to spend as much money on the duplicates, thereby bypassing Fontaine getting too close a look at the actual substance of the originals.
Now Clark did not have to be a yo-yo, having powers and not having them. He would also avoid withdrawal symptoms as they skipped the next quinium injection.
Clark was the picture of health, glowing and happy. He was re-learning how to live life as a super-powered being, which meant how much he had to hold back to shake hands or even lift a teacup.
That included sex.
Clark was afraid of hurting Bruce in the throes of passion. Bruce had to admit that he was a little nervous, too.
“So you don’t know if you had sex before?”
“No. I expect once I get my memories back, I’ll know.”
“We’ll just be careful for now.”
Bruce did not want to say that Lex had included in his notes that long-term memory suppression could lead to permanent amnesia. Some of the test subjects never regained their memories. If that happened, they would deal with it then.
Bruce pushed those thoughts aside as he and Clark sparred. This was another test of his powers. He had to restrain himself, or seriously injure Bruce. Dick worked on the trapeze, sheer poetry in motion.
Clark was careful, matching strength to agility. All of his past training from Bruce came into play, his memory sharp as he feinted, slamming his partner to the mat.
“Oof!”
“You’re not hurt?” Clark asked anxiously.
“Just my pride,” Bruce groused as he accepted Clark’s hand to get up. “Let’s try that again.”
Clark was more than happy to try again, flushed with victory. Bruce was tempted to let him win the next bout but knew that was not the way he trained. False confidence was as bad as no confidence.
Bruce concentrated hard, using all of his considerable skill to bring Clark down, but Clark had learned quite a bit from the Master. He was elusive and quick and Bruce clamped down his frustration.
Never let them see you sweat.
An old but useful mantra, to be sure.
The two men grappled, the squeak of the trapeze accentuating their grunts as sunlight flooded into the room. Bruce would have preferred the Batcave training area, but it was a good idea to keep Clark in sunlight, soaking up the power-giving rays. The whole point of their practice was giving Clark experience with his abilities.
Secretly, Bruce relished the chance to go up against a super-powered being. The closest he could have gotten was Wonder Woman, and neither one had been able to get together for a session yet.
Now I have Clark. He smirked. In more ways than one.
Unfortunately, his ruminations distracted him, and he was down on the mat again, Clark standing over him, hands on hips. For a brief second, he felt a flash of anger at himself, then it disappeared as quickly as it had come.
Clark’s look of triumph easily morphed into a dazzling smile. He held out his hand again, and Bruce took it.
Time to get to work.
& & & & & &
“Good flip.”
The older redhead looked at the teenage girl in her work-out tights. The girl was a natural: supple and willowy but with real strength in those young muscles.
The girl beamed. “Thank you.”
“Let’s do it again.”
Her protégé nodded and set herself on the mat again.
Kathy flexed her hands, circling the teenager. She had to be careful. Neophyte the girl might be, but she was clever and quick. She soaked up knowledge like a sponge.
Quick thrusts and parries were made by both combatants, the bats high in the Cave’s rafters squeaking and rustling their wings.
Kathy had known about the caverns below her family’s mansion on the outskirts of Gotham. Like the other branch of the family, the Waynes, the caves had been used for the Underground Railroad in the 1850s and 1860s as part of the network of Abolitionists who had helped Southern slaves to go north to Canada and freedom.
And then it all fell apart.
Kathy parried a lunge by her protégé, reflecting on lost opportunities. History was riddled with them, and it was up to every generation to either correct what had gone wrong before, or create their own opportunities.
She had capitalized on the opportunity of catching part of Gotham’s hero scene. Whether the Batman was put off by her use of his symbol, she did not know. He had never said anything to her.
She blocked a kick, using a judo move on he opponent, who danced away.
Kathy could have used another symbol. Catwoman, Black Canary, and Wonder Woman had all taken on new symbols that they had made their own.
But the Bat symbol just seemed fitting for Gotham.
Apparently her new protégé thought so, too.
“Good session,” Kathy said, signaling the end.
The girl nodded, reaching for a towel to wipe off, and tossed one to Kathy.
“Your moves are good. Agility and speed are no problem. You just need to work on technique.”
The girl nodded again. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“And what would your father think of all this, Miss Barbara Gordon?”
Barbara sighed. “Not much.”
“I daresay you’re right.” Kathy crossed her arms. “You’ll have to let him know before you go out there.”
“I know.” Barbara’s voice sounded forlorn. “He’s not going to go for this.”
“Then it’ll be up to you to convince him.”
Barbara nodded, determination glinting in her green eyes. “I will.”
“I have no doubt.” Kathy smiled. A stubborn protégé could be trouble, but Barbara used that stubbornness in a constructive way.
Perfect. She listens, asks intelligent questions and makes useful suggestions. If Jim Gordon okays it, I’ll have myself a sidekick and partner.
“You should talk to him now.”
“I know.” Barbara lifted her chin. “No matter what happens, can I still train with you?”
“If your father says yes.”
Barbara sighed. “Okay.” She hopped off the mat toward the bottle of water she had put on the bench. Taking a swig, she asked, “So, who else knows about these caves beneath Kane Manor?”
“Oh, some older members of the family. The stories either stopped being passed down or younger Kanes really didn’t care to hear them.”
“Or maybe they thought it was bad form to celebrate a part of family history that advocated Abolitionism?”
Definitely a smart girl.
Kathy took a swig of her water bottle. “You’re probably right.”
“Of course,” Barbara said smugly.
“Oh, ho! Methinks it’s time to get back to work, Missy!”
Barbara giggled and put aside her bottle and towel, jumping back on the mat and ready for battle as Kathy smirked as she went to the mat, the bats squeaking overheard.
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