Shadowed Threads

Chapter Ten: Baptism by Fire

Wayne Manor was never quiet.

Between Dick's dramatics, Tim's caffeine-fueled intelligence, and Damian's general disdain for the human race, Marinette had accepted that living here meant chaos.

But stepping into Gotham's night?

That was something else entirely.

Jason had waited for her at the entrance to the Batcave, arms crossed, helmet tucked under one arm. His leather jacket was slung over his shoulders, the unmistakable red bat emblem gleaming beneath.

"You sure about this, Bug?" he asked, voice teasing but layered with something serious underneath.

Marinette zipped up her dark suit-a custom piece she had made herself, tactical but flexible, something built for speed and strategy rather than brute force.

She met Jason's gaze. "You worried I can't keep up?"

Jason smirked, but there was something behind it this time-something like concern.

"This isn't Paris," he said.

Marinette exhaled. "I know."

Jason studied her for a beat longer, then tossed her an earpiece.

"Stay close," he muttered. "And don't die. Bruce would be pissed."

Marinette grinned. "Noted."

Then they disappeared into the night.

⸻

Patrolling Gotham with Jason Todd was a baptism by fire.

The city breathed differently at night, its shadows stretching longer, its dangers lurking in every alley.

Marinette had seen crime before-had spent years navigating Paris' chaos as Ladybug-but Gotham was raw.

It wasn't supervillains in themed costumes.

It was desperation, violence, and people who didn't hesitate to pull a trigger.

Jason moved like he belonged in the night, his Red Hood persona more predator than vigilante. He wasn't like Bruce or Dick, bound by strict moral codes-Jason ruled Gotham's streets through fear, his very presence enough to make criminals drop their weapons and run.

Marinette stayed silent, watching, learning.

Then-

Gunshots.

Jason reacted instantly, drawing his weapons as he signaled for Marinette to follow.

They moved fast, rooftops blurring beneath their feet as they neared the source of the chaos-a warehouse on the east end, dimly lit and crawling with armed men.

Jason cursed under his breath. "Black Mask's guys."

Marinette frowned. "Drug shipment?"

"Probably. Either way, we're crashing the party."

She nodded. "What's the plan?"

Jason glanced at her. "You tell me."

Marinette's pulse spiked.

This was a test.

She looked at the layout, assessing quickly. Six men. Three near the shipment, two guarding the entrance, one pacing near the van.

She exhaled. She could do this.

"I take the guy by the van," she murmured. "You distract the ones at the crates, and I'll clear the rest from above."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Bold."

"Think I can't handle it?"

Jason's grin was sharp, approving. "Oh, I know you can."

Then-

They moved.

Marinette dropped silently from the rooftop, landing behind the man near the van. One precise strike to the pressure point, and he crumpled without a sound.

Jason, meanwhile, was loud on purpose.

A gunshot echoed-non-lethal, aimed at the crates-immediately sending the remaining men into a panic.

Marinette used the distraction to her advantage. She scaled the scaffolding, moving fast, calculating her angles.

Then-

She jumped, landing hard on the next thug, knocking him unconscious before flipping forward to dodge a swinging baton from another.

Jason laughed through the comms. "Damn, Bug. Showoff."

Marinette smirked, twisting mid-air to drive her knee into the last guy's chest.

In less than two minutes, the fight was over.

Jason holstered his guns, stepping over a groaning thug.

"Well," he said, tilting his head, "that was sexy."

Marinette wiped sweat from her brow. "What?"

Jason grinned, stepping closer, eyes dark with something unreadable. "That thing you did with the scaffolding? Yeah. Hot."

Marinette blinked. "Jason-"

"Red Hood," a voice crackled over the comms.

Jason cursed.

Marinette froze.

Because that wasn't Tim. That wasn't Dick.

That was Oracle.

"Your party just got bigger," Barbara's voice was grim. "GCPD en route. And you've got company coming in from the docks."

Marinette's stomach dropped.

Jason's expression shifted instantly. "Black Mask?"

Barbara's response was cold. "Worse."

Marinette barely had time to react before she felt it-the shift in the air, the presence of something predatory.

Jason's jaw tensed.

Then-

A slow, deliberate clap echoed from the darkness.

A new voice spoke.

Amused. Cold. Dangerous.

"Well, well," the man murmured. "Look what we have here."

Marinette turned.

And froze.

Because stepping out of the shadows was a man in a sharp black suit, his face hidden behind a white mask with a painted red smile.

Roman Sionis.

Black Mask himself.

And he was looking right at her.

Jason muttered, "Shit."

Marinette's fingers twitched toward her weapons.

Because in Gotham?

The fight was never over.