in DC with a summoning system

The apartment buzzed with a mix of chaos and determination as Marceline stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by scraps of fabric, holographic projections, and glowing pieces of vibranium and adamantium provided by her system.

"No capes," she muttered under her breath, furiously erasing a sketch on her tablet.

Sonic was sprawled across the couch, a half-eaten chili dog in his hand. He raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with capes? They're dramatic. Very superhero chic."

Marceline shot him a glare. "Yeah, if you want to dramatically get yourself sucked into a jet engine or impaled on a flagpole. Didn't you watch The Incredibles? Edna Mode said it best—no capes!"

Sonic smirked. "So, what's the plan, Ms. Anti-Cape?"

Marceline turned the tablet toward him, showcasing a sleek white bodysuit with black accents running along the sides, starburst patterns faintly glowing across the design. "I'm going for something practical and intimidating. Think Dagger from Marvel, but with a bit of extra dazzle."

Fasha, leaning against the window with her arms crossed, eyed the design skeptically. "White? In Gotham? One fight and you're going to look like a walking mud puddle."

Marceline rolled her eyes. "It's a vibranium weave. Self-cleaning, dirt-proof, and can absorb energy. I could roll around in a sewer and still look spotless."

"That's… weirdly specific," Fasha said, shaking her head.

Marceline grabbed a glowing fragment of adamantium, spinning it between her fingers. "And these adamantium reinforcements? Perfect for deflecting bullets, blades, and probably whatever else this city throws at me."

Sonic zipped over, peering at her work. "Wow, you're really going all-in. What's next? Custom light shows?"

Marceline grinned, summoning her light blade. The weapon pulsed to life in her hand, the glow reflecting in her eyes. "I am the light show."

Sonic tilted his head. "You've got the look down, but what's the name? Gotta have a cool name to complete the package."

Marceline turned toward him dramatically. "Dawnstar."

Fasha raised an eyebrow. "Bit on the nose, don't you think?"

Marceline shrugged. "It fits. Batman's got his shadows; I've got my light. It's poetic. Besides, it's a lot better than 'Glowstick Girl.'"

"Glowstick Girl has a ring to it," Sonic teased.

Marceline hurled a pillow at him. "Don't make me design you a glittery cape."

Sonic laughed, catching the pillow with ease. "Alright, alright. Dawnstar it is. Just don't let Batman catch you shining too bright in his city."

Marceline turned back to the mirror, admiring her work. The bodysuit hugged her figure perfectly, sleek and functional. The starburst emblem on her chest pulsed faintly with her light powers, and the black accents gave it an edge of menace. No cape, no unnecessary flair—just pure practicality.

"This is it," she said softly, the determination in her voice filling the room. "This is who I'm meant to be."

Sonic gave her a thumbs up. "Well, you look ready to take on the world. Or, at the very least, Gotham."

Fasha smirked. "Just don't trip over your own dazzle, Dawnstar."

Marceline twirled her light blade, her confidence shining as bright as the weapon in her hand. "Let them try to stop me. Gotham's about to see a new kind of hero."

With her costume complete and her resolve set, Marceline was ready to step out into the chaos of Gotham as Dawnstar—the hero who would bring light to even the darkest corners.

Chapter 6: First Night Out, Part Two

Marceline stood on the edge of a rooftop, the cold Gotham wind cutting through the air as she stared at the city below. Her white bodysuit shimmered faintly in the moonlight, the starburst emblem on her chest pulsing with a faint glow. Her first night out as Dawnstar.

She adjusted her utility belt, filled with essentials: light energy grenades (courtesy of her system), a grappling hook, and a small supply of healing potions. Sonic had insisted on tagging along, but she'd told him to stay behind. The last thing she needed was for him to get spotted by some nosy Gothamite or, worse, Batman.

Her comm crackled in her ear, Fasha's voice coming through. "You sure about this? You're diving headfirst into a city full of psychos."

Marceline smirked, her light blade materializing in her hand with a hum. "I'll be fine. Besides, it's Gotham. What's the worst that could happen?"

Fasha snorted. "Famous last words. Try not to get yourself killed."

Marceline leapt off the rooftop, her grappling hook firing with precision and propelling her toward the streets below. She landed in an alleyway with a soft thud, her light blade dissipating as she scanned her surroundings. The system had flagged a potential "illegal operation" nearby—something about arms dealing.

She crept closer to the location, the unmistakable sound of heavy crates being moved confirming her suspicions.

"Alright, boys, let's wrap this up!" a gruff voice barked.

Marceline peered around the corner and spotted a group of thugs loading crates into a truck. At the center of the operation stood a short, rotund man with a monocle and a cigar—Oswald Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin.

"Penguin?" Marceline muttered to herself. "Guess I'm starting big."

The thugs worked quickly, stacking crates marked with the Wayne Enterprises logo. Arms dealing, stolen goods—typical Gotham villain stuff. Marceline clenched her fists, her light blade forming in her hand once more.

"You got a problem, boss?" one of the thugs asked.

Penguin growled. "Yeah, my problem is you standing around asking stupid questions. Get the bloody work done!"

Marceline stepped out of the shadows, her voice cutting through the night. "You know, yelling at your lackeys isn't exactly great management."

All heads turned toward her, Penguin's eyes narrowing as he took in her glowing figure.

"And who the hell are you supposed to be?" Penguin sneered, flicking the ash off his cigar.

Marceline twirled her light blade, the weapon casting an eerie glow across the alley. "Dawnstar. Your new headache."

Penguin let out a short laugh, his thugs chuckling nervously behind him. "Dawnstar? What is this, a bloody laser show? Take care of her, boys!"

The thugs rushed forward, and Marceline sprang into action.

The first thug swung a crowbar at her, but she ducked under it with ease, delivering a swift kick to his knee. He crumpled to the ground with a groan. Another came at her with a knife, but Marceline's light blade intercepted it, the weapon humming as it sliced through the blade like butter.

"Really? Knives? In this economy?" she quipped, spinning and knocking the thug out with the hilt of her blade.

Two more came at her simultaneously, but Marceline was faster. She summoned a light shield, blocking their attacks and sending a burst of energy that sent them flying into a stack of crates.

Penguin watched with growing annoyance, his cigar now a crumpled mess in his hand. "You're tougher than you look, I'll give you that."

"Thanks," Marceline said, deflecting another attack. "I work out."

Penguin pulled out his signature umbrella, aiming it at her. "Let's see how you handle this!"

The umbrella fired a volley of bullets, forcing Marceline to dive for cover. The alley lit up with flashes of gunfire as Penguin advanced, his monocle glinting in the chaos.

Marceline peeked out from behind a crate, her mind racing. Her light shield could block bullets, but not for long. She needed a plan.

"H2," she muttered, "any ideas?"

[Disarming the umbrella is the most effective course of action. Distraction recommended.]

Marceline grinned. "Got it."

She grabbed one of her light grenades, activating it and tossing it toward Penguin. The grenade exploded in a burst of blinding light, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.

"Argh! Bloody hell!" Penguin shouted, stumbling back.

Marceline took her chance, charging forward and slicing through the umbrella with her blade. The weapon sparked and fizzled, rendered useless.

Penguin glared at her, his face red with fury. "You little—"

She didn't give him a chance to finish. A swift punch to the gut sent him sprawling to the ground.

"Call it a night, Penguin," Marceline said, standing over him.

Sirens wailed in the distance, and Penguin's thugs scrambled to flee. Marceline stepped back, letting the authorities handle the cleanup.

As she disappeared into the shadows, Fasha's voice crackled in her ear. "Not bad for your first night out. You might actually survive this city."

Marceline smirked, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "Told you I'd be fine."

She glanced back at the alley one last time, the faint glow of her light blade illuminating her path. Gotham might be a city of darkness, but Dawnstar was ready to shine.

Chapter 6: Part Three

Marceline lounged in the living room of her apartment, her legs propped up on the coffee table. Fasha was in the kitchen, fiddling with the coffee machine she couldn't figure out, while Sonic, still in his human form, paced back and forth, a determined look on his face.

"Marcie," Sonic began, breaking the silence. "We need to talk."

Marceline raised an eyebrow, half-focused on the glowing system interface hovering in front of her. "About what? Did you finally figure out how to make toast without burning it?"

He ignored the jab and stepped in front of her. "I'm serious. I'm faster than anyone in this city. I can dodge bullets, outrun explosions, and, let's face it, I'm basically the ultimate sidekick. Why am I stuck sitting on the sidelines?"

Marceline closed the system window with a sigh, leaning back on the couch. "Because, Sonic, this isn't Green Hills. This is Gotham. You can't just zip around without a plan. People here will shoot first and ask questions later. And that's assuming Batman doesn't come after you."

"Exactly!" Sonic threw up his hands. "You've got a system that can literally make costumes and gadgets! Just whip me up something so I can join you out there. You need me, Marcie."

Marceline stared at him, unimpressed. "I need you like I need another hole in my jacket."

"Come on!" Sonic whined. "You know I'll be good at this. I'll even let you pick my superhero name."

Fasha snorted from the kitchen. "This I've got to see. What's it going to be? 'Speedy McAnnoying?'"

"Funny," Sonic shot back, crossing his arms. "I was thinking something cooler. Like… Blue Bolt."

Marceline tilted her head, considering it. "Huh. Not bad. But if I'm doing this, you're wearing whatever I design. No input from you, no complaints. Deal?"

"Deal!" Sonic grinned, his enthusiasm nearly blinding.

---

Marceline opened the system shop and selected the crafting section. Using some of her remaining system points, she purchased high-grade adaptive fabric and a few enhancements to make the suit functional for someone with Sonic's speed. She even threw in a sound dampener to keep him from giving them away with his constant quips.

"Alright, H2," she said, scrolling through the design templates. "Let's get to work."

The system displayed a basic suit blueprint, which she modified to fit Sonic's build. She added a lightning bolt emblem to the chest and reinforced the suit with lightweight kinetic material. Once she was satisfied, the system charged her points, and the suit materialized in a burst of glowing particles.

"Here," she said, tossing it to Sonic. "Try it on. And don't come out until you're sure it fits. I don't need to see anything scarring."

Sonic grabbed the suit and zipped into the other room. A moment later, he emerged, striking a dramatic pose. "Well? How do I look?"

Marceline looked him over. The suit was sleek and simple, a mix of dark blue and black with the bolt symbol across his chest. It fit like a second skin, designed to move with his speed.

"You look like someone who's about to trip over their own feet," she said, smirking.

Sonic gave an exaggerated gasp. "Rude. I look amazing, and you know it. Admit it, Marcie—you just made the coolest sidekick ever."

"First of all," she said, standing up and grabbing her utility belt, "you're not a sidekick. Second, don't call me Marcie. And third, if you screw this up, I'm benching you for good. Got it?"

"Got it," Sonic said, saluting.

"Good," Marceline said, heading for the door. "Because we've got work to do."

---

The pair hit the rooftops, the chill Gotham air whipping past them. Marceline moved with precision, her light blade strapped to her back. Sonic followed, testing the suit's mobility with a series of flips and dashes.

"Not bad," he said, zipping up beside her. "Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all."

"Please don't say that," she muttered.

Suddenly, her system chimed.

[System Alert: Disturbance detected. Armed robbery in progress. Location: Gotham First National Bank.]

Marceline grinned. "Looks like we've got our first mission, Bolt. Try not to mess this up."

"You kidding?" he replied, cracking his knuckles. "I was born for this."

"Let's see if Gotham agrees," she said, leaping to the next rooftop.

Sonic followed, a streak of blue against the dark skyline. For the first time, Gotham's criminals were about to learn what speed really looked like.

Chapter 6: Part Four – Bank Robbery and Confrontation with Batman

The moon hung high in the Gotham sky, casting long shadows over the darkened city streets. Marceline, now fully suited in her vibranium and adamantium armor, crouched on a nearby rooftop, her sharp eyes scanning the entrance of Gotham First National Bank. Sonic—now Blue Bolt—was beside her, his body buzzing with kinetic energy, ready to spring into action at any moment.

"So, what's the plan?" Sonic asked, his energy crackling in the air around him.

Marceline glanced at him, her expression calm but focused. "We wait for the right moment. We go in, take out the robbers, keep the hostages safe. No need to complicate things."

Sonic's grin stretched wide. "Sounds simple enough. Save the day, stop some bad guys. Just the usual hero stuff, huh?"

She didn't respond immediately, her attention still locked on the bank. The robbers inside were nervous, pacing around. "These guys aren't just thieves," she finally said, eyes narrowing. "They're armed and dangerous. We need to be quick and precise."

"Got it. You lead, I follow," Sonic replied with a wink, though the energy around him crackled in anticipation.

Inside the bank, she could see the robbers moving with grim purpose, five of them in total, each with a hostage in tow. The leader, a hulking man with a jagged scar running across his face, barked orders, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped a handgun.

"We get the money, we get out," the leader growled, his eyes darting nervously between his crew. "No funny business, or the girl gets it!"

The other robbers nodded, their hands twitching, ready to act. The hostages were trembling, trying their best to stay calm.

"We move in on my mark," Marceline murmured as she adjusted her stance, her hands igniting with light energy that hummed in the cool night air.

---

The Distraction

"Alright, let's make this quick," Sonic whispered, glancing at Marceline. His grin was mischievous, but there was a gleam of determination in his eyes. "Watch this."

In a blur of blue lightning, Sonic shot forward, a streak of speed and power that none of the robbers could track. Within moments, he had zipped around the room, his energy crackling as he knocked guns out of hands and pushed the robbers into one another. Their attempts to retaliate were futile.

"What the—?" one of the robbers yelled as he stumbled, disoriented, while Sonic danced around him.

Marceline didn't wait for the confusion to settle. With a fluid leap, she dropped down from the ceiling, landing silently behind the nearest robber. Her light blade ignited with a brilliant flash, its humming energy filling the room. Before the robbers could react, she slashed through the air, the blade slicing through the air like a bolt of lightning. One robber went down instantly, crumpling unconscious to the ground.

Marceline moved with such speed and precision that the remaining robbers barely had time to register her movements. The next attacker swung his weapon toward her, but with a simple twist of her wrist, Marceline disarmed him, sending him crashing to the ground with a forceful strike. The third robber, trying to shoot, found his gun knocked away by a perfectly timed slash from her light blade.

Meanwhile, Sonic was darting around the room, his speed a blur. He kicked another robber square in the chest, sending him sprawling across the floor. His movements were so fast that even the remaining robbers had no time to react, and they soon joined the growing pile of unconscious bodies.

One by one, the robbers were neutralized, their plans shattered in seconds.

"Hostages are safe," Marceline said, standing among the fallen criminals. "The cops will be here any second."

---

The Police Arrive

Outside, the sound of approaching sirens grew louder. Gotham's finest had arrived, their squad cars screeching to a halt in front of the bank. Officers poured out, weapons drawn, their eyes narrowing as they assessed the scene.

Marceline and Sonic exchanged a quick glance before calmly walking toward the exit, ignoring the growing tension as the police surrounded the building.

"Freeze!" an officer shouted, his weapon aimed directly at them. His stance was firm, but his voice betrayed his uncertainty.

Marceline raised her hands in mock surrender, her gaze steady. "You might want to lower those guns, officer. We just saved the hostages, neutralized the robbers. We're not the bad guys here."

Sonic threw a wink toward the officer. "Yeah, we're your friendly neighborhood heroes. Didn't you see the action? We're like, totally the good guys."

The officer's gun remained trained on them, his face hardening. "Who the hell are you two?"

"Dawnstar," Marceline replied coolly, her voice firm, yet calm. "And Blue Bolt. We're just here to help."

Sonic waved, a grin spreading across his face. "Friendly neighborhood hero. No need to be scared."

The officer didn't seem to relax. He held his ground, his voice flat and controlled. "Vigilantes don't belong here. I'm reporting this, and you're going to regret this stunt."

But before the situation could escalate any further, a low growl interrupted the moment. A shadow fell over them, and a figure dropped down between them and the police, his silhouette dark against the night sky.

It was Batman.

---

Confrontation with Batman

The moment Batman landed, a chill seemed to sweep through the air. Marceline's instincts flared, her hand going to her light blade, the energy still humming at her side. But she didn't draw it yet—she wasn't going to make the first move.

"You're the ones who took down the robbers," Batman growled, his deep, gravelly voice cutting through the tension.

Marceline's eyes narrowed as she studied him, her stance unmoving. "Yeah. And what's it to you?"

Sonic grinned, his usual cocky attitude intact. "Oh, look, it's Gotham's brooding vigilante. You know, I really liked the dark-and-dramatic thing, but you might wanna try cracking a smile sometime."

Batman's gaze hardened, his eyes cold and unwavering. "You're playing with fire. Gotham doesn't need your brand of chaos. You're just another distraction."

Marceline's expression was unbothered as she spoke. "You're one to talk, Batman. You hide in the shadows, calling yourself a protector. Meanwhile, we're out here getting things done."

Batman's jaw clenched as he took a step forward, his fists tightening. "I don't need help from amateurs."

Sonic scoffed. "Amateurs? We stopped a robbery, saved the hostages. Where were you when all this was going down?"

Batman didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped into a combat stance, his movements precise, fluid, and controlled. "I work alone. I don't need anyone else mucking up my city."

Marceline's lip curled slightly. "Funny way of saying 'thank you,' Batman."

For a brief moment, there was silence. The only sound was the faint hum of energy emanating from Marceline's blade. Then, in a flash, Batman moved—his speed and precision as legendary as his reputation.

But Marceline was already gone.

In a single fluid motion, she dodged his first strike and countered with a series of quick, controlled movements. Her light blade slashed the air in dazzling arcs, aiming not to hurt, but to show Batman the depth of her skill. Each strike was timed perfectly to test his defenses, each movement calculated to keep him on the defensive.

Batman parried with strength, but he couldn't keep up with her relentless assault. Marceline's attacks were a blur, a beautiful dance of energy and precision that pushed him back step by step. He blocked one swing, only for her to twist her wrist and strike from a different angle, the blade barely missing his side. Every movement she made was deliberate, a flawless execution of technique.

Sonic, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but smirk. "Whoa. She's got him on the ropes."

Batman grunted, frustration growing. He knew he couldn't match her speed or unpredictability, and he had to adapt fast. He lunged forward, using his brute strength to shove Marceline back, hoping to overpower her. But she was already gone, flipping backward with the grace of a dancer, landing silently a few feet away.

The Dark Knight glared at her, his eyes full of unspoken anger. "This is your last warning."

Marceline's expression darkened, her voice carrying the weight of a thousand battles fought. "I can either be your greatest ally or your greatest enemy, Batman. But no matter what, I'll keep doing what I want. This city may belong to you, but I'm carving my own path."

Before Batman could respond, Marceline and Sonic turned and bolted into the night, vanishing into the shadows.

The fight wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Batman might have been the king of Gotham's night, but Marceline and Sonic were here to stay.