dc with power of digimon

Chapter 34: The Acknowledgment of Shadows

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The Calm Before the Storm

The air was still as Joshua stood in the middle of the Wayne Estate's private training grounds, his hands resting casually on his hips. The sky above was a deep shade of twilight, the last remnants of daylight fading into the creeping night. The area was vast, isolated from prying eyes—the perfect place for a real test.

Across from him, Batman stood motionless, his cape billowing slightly in the wind. Even without speaking, his presence was heavy, like an unshakable force watching and calculating every move.

Joshua knew what was happening.

He wasn't an idiot.

Bruce had been studying him—analyzing his abilities, his combat style, and every little nuance that made up his fighting instincts. And Joshua had let it happen.

Because, deep down, he understood why.

And now?

Now it was time to address the elephant in the room.

Joshua took a deep breath and let out a small chuckle. "So… you made a protocol for me, huh?"

Batman's posture didn't change. He didn't flinch.

But Joshua saw the slightest twitch in his jaw—a tell.

Joshua's smirk widened. "You don't have to say anything. I already know."

The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, Batman finally spoke. "Explain."

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Understanding the Fear

Joshua shrugged, pacing slightly as he gestured toward the open space around them.

"Let's be real here, Bats. You're Batman. The most paranoid guy in Gotham. There's no way you'd let someone like me into your home, let alone your life, without a contingency plan in place."

He turned, facing Bruce with a knowing look. "And I get it."

The words hung in the air, unexpected yet sincere.

Joshua continued, his voice steady. "I'm something you don't fully understand yet. I can change forms, I can evolve, and I don't have a limit you can calculate." He tapped his temple. "And that bothers you."

Batman remained silent.

Joshua smiled, but there was no malice in it. "You've fought people stronger than you. Faster than you. But you always find a way to stop them. That's why Gotham still stands." He exhaled. "So of course you'd prepare for me."

Joshua stepped forward slightly, tilting his head. "So… what is it? A specialized Batarang? A custom-built cell in the Batcave? Something tied to my energy signature?"

Bruce didn't react. He wouldn't give anything away.

But Joshua knew.

He already had a plan in place.

And that? That was fine.

Because Joshua had been preparing, too.

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The Realization

Batman finally broke the silence. "You aren't wrong." His voice was calm but carried an edge. "I made a protocol."

Joshua nodded, crossing his arms. "Yeah, I figured."

Batman studied him for a moment. "And yet, you're not angry."

Joshua scoffed. "Why would I be?" He gestured around them. "You've seen what I can do. You know I'm different. It would be dumb of you not to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

He grinned. "And if I ever go off the rails, I'd expect you to stop me."

Batman's gaze sharpened. "You say that now."

Joshua's smirk faded slightly. "Yeah. And I mean it." His voice grew more serious. "Because I know what happens when someone with power thinks they're untouchable."

For the first time, Batman saw something deeper in Joshua's expression.

Not arrogance. Not recklessness.

Understanding.

Experience.

Joshua had seen that kind of downfall before.

And he wasn't about to let it happen to him.

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The Next Step

Batman shifted slightly, his posture more relaxed, though his eyes remained sharp. "Then let's finish this test."

Joshua grinned. "So, you got all the combat data you need?"

Bruce gave a slight nod. "For now."

Joshua chuckled. "Cool. Then let's take this up a notch."

His body glowed once more, energy radiating as his form began to shift.

This time, he didn't stop at Garurumon X.

Or Greymon.

A new power surged.

And for the first time, Batman saw something entirely different.

Something beyond what he had prepared for.

And in that moment, even Batman had to acknowledge—

Joshua was evolving faster than he had anticipated.

Chapter 35: The Power of the Beast and the Dance of Shadows

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Batman's POV: Witnessing the True Power

The night air was thick with tension as Batman stood atop a rocky outcrop, observing Joshua below. His cape billowed in the wind, the shadows of the Gotham outskirts stretching beneath his feet.

Joshua stood in the middle of the battlefield, his expression calm, despite the energy radiating from his body. His breath came out steady, controlled, his gaze locked on the open field before him.

Batman's mind was already working, analyzing everything—the boy's stance, his composure, the air of confidence that never wavered, even when facing overwhelming odds.

"Alright," Joshua said, cracking his neck. "Let's start."

And then, before Batman's eyes, Joshua changed.

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The Hunt Begins – Garurumon X

Joshua's form glowed with energy, his silhouette shifting as his body expanded. In an instant, the transformation was complete, and where Joshua once stood, Garurumon X now crouched low to the ground.

Batman's eyes narrowed.

The beast was sleek, powerful, and unnatural in the most efficient way possible. It was nothing like a simple wolf; its frame was larger, more refined, lined with cybernetic enhancements woven into its fur. The gleaming metallic plating along its limbs and back suggested advanced durability, and its golden eyes glowed like a predator in the dark.

And then, it moved.

Garurumon X vanished.

A streak of silver cut through the night, and in the blink of an eye, it was on the other side of the field.

Batman barely caught it—his training, his instincts, his experience, all screamed that this was something beyond human reflexes. The sheer acceleration alone was enough to break bones if a normal person attempted it.

Garurumon X circled back, digging its claws into the dirt as it skidded to a stop, kicking up dust.

Joshua's voice rumbled from within the beast. "Speed's solid. Reaction time's even better. Now…"

His muscles tensed.

"Let's test firepower."

The air shimmered around Garurumon X as its fangs glowed with an eerie blue light. Then, in one fluid motion, it launched forward.

A blur of motion.

Then—

BANG!

Garurumon X struck a boulder with a clawed slash, and the entire rock exploded on impact.

Batman didn't flinch, but his mind was already cataloging data. Raw strength. High-speed mobility. Unnatural reaction time.

This wasn't just a creature.

It was a weapon.

Joshua let out a low, satisfied growl before stepping back. "Alright… now let's switch things up."

And then, just as fast as before, the transformation began again.

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Unstoppable Force – Greymon

This time, the energy shift was even more intense. Joshua's sleek, agile frame bulked up, growing larger, heavier.

Then came the roar.

A deep, earth-shaking bellow that sent a pulse through the ground.

Batman stood firm as the dust settled, revealing Greymon.

Towering over everything else, Greymon was a walking force of nature. Thick, armored plating covered its skull, its massive claws digging into the dirt. The sheer size difference between this form and Garurumon X was staggering—one was a hunter, the other a juggernaut.

Greymon lifted its head, inhaling deeply, and—

WHOOSH!

A column of fire erupted from its jaws, the heat distorting the air around it. Batman watched as the flames incinerated everything in their path, turning what was once solid ground into a scorched wasteland.

And then, just like that, the fire ceased.

Greymon stood still, its breath coming out in heavy exhales.

From within, Joshua's voice muttered, "That… is going to be useful."

Batman's jaw clenched.

He had fought metahumans, aliens, and enhanced beings before. He had prepared countermeasures for every possible threat.

But Joshua?

Joshua was a wild card.

And wild cards were dangerous.

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The Next Morning: A Normal Life?

The bell rang across Gotham Academy, signaling the start of the school day. Students shuffled into their classrooms, some tired, some excited, and some just eager to get the day over with.

Joshua, on the other hand, was completely at ease.

Dressed in his uniform, he leaned back in his chair, feet kicked up on the desk, smirking as the chatter filled the air. His mind wasn't on last night's training session.

Nope.

His focus was entirely on Barbara Gordon.

Across the room, Barbara sat with her arms crossed, brow furrowed as she scanned her notebook. Joshua couldn't help but grin.

She was trying to figure him out.

He knew it.

She knew it.

And that made it all the more fun.

Leaning forward, Joshua tapped his pen against his desk. "So, my dear Juliet," he said, voice dripping with amusement, "have you unraveled the great mystery that is my heart yet?"

Barbara shot him a deadpan look. "You're an idiot."

Joshua gasped, dramatically clutching his chest. "Wounded! Betrayed! My heart, shattered like a fragile pane of glass!"

Several students snickered, while Barbara simply rolled her eyes. "You're not that mysterious, Joshua."

Joshua's smirk didn't fade. "Oh? You sure about that?"

Barbara hesitated.

Joshua caught it.

She didn't have all the answers yet.

And that? That was his advantage.

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The Game Continues

Dick Grayson, sitting a few seats away, watched the exchange with narrowed eyes.

Something about Joshua bothered him.

He wasn't just playful.

He was calculated.

It was like Joshua wanted Barbara to keep investigating. Like he was leading her down a path just to see how far she'd go.

Dick had dealt with criminals, masterminds, and thieves before.

Joshua wasn't like them.

But he wasn't normal either.

And that?

That meant trouble.

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The Final Bell

As the day wrapped up, students began filing out of the classrooms, chattering about weekend plans, upcoming projects, and the usual teenage drama.

Barbara slung her bag over her shoulder, glancing toward Joshua.

He was already watching her.

Waiting.

She sighed. "You're not going to make this easy, are you?"

Joshua grinned. "Oh, Babs. What's the fun in easy?"

And with that, he walked off, leaving her standing there, deep in thought.

Behind her, Dick Grayson frowned.

He wasn't sure what Joshua was up to.

But he was going to find out.

End of Chapter