Time passes

Gotham Elementary School was a modern three-story building with large glass windows that reflected the morning sunlight. The school grounds were buzzing with students. Chloe stepped out of the taxi dressed in a trendy denim jacket, a colourful graphic T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. She bounced from foot to foot, anxious.

Chloe glanced back at him and mouthed, "Bye."

The bell rang. It was time.

Aaron rolled the window down and gave a goodbye wave. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration as he watched Chloe navigate through the sea of students, blending seamlessly into the diverse tapestry of Gotham School. This was officially her second week of school. It was the end of February, the end of the month of love.

His phone buzzed. The taxi driver asked where to go next.

"My house," Aaron answered, supplying him with his address. He checked his notifications and saw that it was an unknown contact.

'So today is the day.'

Aaron had been waiting for this day. The day when he and Cassandra would settle…whatever it was that was between them. He had promised himself they would talk. After what happened with Barbara at the Hedonist Society, however, she had been avoiding him. Everytime he asked to talk, she ducked away and muttered an excuse about an upcoming mission.

Not today. Today was the day.

< ?: Cassandra Cain

< ?: Come home.

The fact that the illiterate Cassandra sent this spoke volumes about its significance. He told the taxi driver to go to his address as quickly as possible. As much as he wanted to teleport there, he couldn't do it while sitting inside the taxi. It would raise unnecessary attention. Plus, this wasn't an emergency…right?

'I should just buy my own car.' He had a driver's licence, though it was set to expire in a year. 'Maybe I should get one of his new WayneTech cars…'

The world answered his calls as the taxi driver turned on the radio. The obnoxious commentary of Jack Ryder rose over the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have an exciting announcement for all car enthusiasts out there! Today, we bring you a sneak peek into the latest masterpiece from WayneTech Automotive, the highly anticipated Mirage X500. The city is buzzing with anticipation as this luxury sedan prepares to make its grand debut. With its cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and unparalleled performance, the Mirage X500 is set to redefine the standards of automotive excellence. Stay tuned as we take you on an exclusive journey into the world of WayneTech Automotive and discover the marvels that await in the Mirage X500. Get ready to be captivated by the fusion of elegance, innovation, and sheer driving pleasure. The wait is over, folks. The Mirage X500 is here to make a statement on the roads of Gotham City!"

'Well, if Jack Ryder of all people is excited for it, maybe Luke Fox has outdone himself.'

Jack Ryder was arguably the most controversial talk show host in Gotham. Always raving on about Batman and Bruce, always throwing out conspiracy theories and weakly connected stories. He was the antithesis to Vicki Vale.

Yet here he was, praising the new WayneTech automobile. Intriguing.

"The Mirage X500 is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a cutting-edge holographic heads-up display, an advanced self-driving system, and a powerful electric engine that delivers a smooth and efficient ride." Jack Ryder cleared his throat, clearly too eager. "Of course, safety is of utmost importance in the Mirage X500, with an array of advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The vehicle's cutting-edge security system ensures peace of mind, protecting both the car and its occupants."

Now that got Aaron's attention. Safety features like those could really bring some relief to him when he was travelling with Chloe. After all, Aaron himself could teleport. It was Chloe he was concerned about. She was in some ways his only weak point.

'I could also get Luke Fox to customize and turn it into a mini Batmobile. Now that would be badass.'

Jack Ryder yammered on and on until he finally revealed the most anticipated part. "The Mirage X500, the pinnacle of luxury and performance, comes with a price tag of $150,000–"

Aaron blinked. That…should have been a lot but it wasn't. Not anymore.

The young man looked out the window and smiled. The gothic architecture of the city was a blur. The sun was rising higher and higher and illuminated the city in its light. The future looked bright.