Shadow Monarch in DC-Chapter 424: Average Gotham Day

The morning sunlight filtered gently through the tall windows of Arthur estate's dining hall, Plates were pushed aside, crumbs of toast and remnants of eggs hinting at a leisurely breakfast just concluded.

Raven leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, an amused smile on her lips. "So…" she said, tilting her head, "you guys secretly dealt with a gate?"

Arthur, sipping the last of his coffee, his violet eyes glimmered faintly in the morning light. "I did. Kara just tagged along," he said, as if it had been no more than a dawn stroll.

Kara, lounging across from him with a faint teasing smile, waved a hand. "Ha. Ha. They were weak. You didn't really need me," she said, shrugging lightly.

Arthur's lips curved, "Careful with that overconfidence," he said smoothly. "You are not invulnerable to magical monsters."

Raven's smile widened at the exchange, clearly entertained by Kara's slight frown. "I see," she murmured, shaking her head. "So… any plans for today?"

Arthur's eyes flicked toward the windows, thinking. "There are plenty of…"

Raven groaned, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Oh please don't, cosmic god. Can't you just take it easy for a single day? The world isn't going to break if you relax for a day or two."

Kara laughed, the sound light and easy. "He is a battle junkie, I'm kind of one too…" Her gaze softened a little as she added, "I should check on Kal today. Been a while since I got to talk with him."

Arthur's smile was warm, almost indulgent. "You do that. Family is important."

Kara pushed back her chair, already slipping into her casual clothes with ease. "I'll be back tonight," she said over her shoulder, "might also help them out if there are any gates popping up around Metropolis too."

Arthur nodded, letting her go without hesitation. He watched her stride toward the door and take off.

Raven reached over, taking his hand with a light, almost conspiratorial touch. "Let's stroll around Gotham today," she said softly, "like two normal people."

Before he could even respond, a faint shimmer of magic passed between them. Arthur felt the familiar shift of enchantment, and when he looked down, his attire had changed. A sharply tailored dark suit now took form, the jacket fitted perfectly, the pants sleek, and a black shirt with subtle dark violet accents under the lapel. Raven herself had shifted into something equally striking, dark, flowing fabrics layered like shadows, fitted leather accents around the shoulders and waist, boots laced to the knee, a subtle gothic elegance.

Arthur's eyebrow arched. "Very… Gotham-like," he said, the suit had that dangerous elegance, and he felt it. He was Gotham now, in a way.

George, who had been quietly watching from across the table, chuckled. "You look rather dashing, sir," he said, the humor in his voice obvious. "And the perfect target for a mugger to try and rob you."

Arthur's smile widened, directed at Raven, sharp and playful. "Do you enjoy humiliating me in front of George like this?"

Raven's lips twitched, mischief in her eyes. "It comes naturally," she said lightly, the corners of her mouth lifting.

Arthur glanced at George with a mock salute. "See ya later, George," he said, voice smooth, almost casual. Then he turned, letting Raven guide him through the front hall and out the massive estate doors.

George watched them leave, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a pang in his chest that he couldn't quite name.

He wasn't thinking about the danger they faced or the monsters Arthur might be fighting. No.

He was watching a grown-up version of the boy he had known. Strong, confident, in control of power and presence alike.

George's jaw tightened slightly, eyes following them as they disappeared into the morning fog.

'I can't even put it into words…' he whispered to himself, voice barely audible, a mixture of pride and awe.

The man George had always suspected would emerge someday. And now… here he was, walking out into the city as both guardian and friend, terrifyingly powerful yet still human, grounded.

George shook his head, a small, proud smile tugging at his lips.

****

The streets of Gotham were not exactly serene. The city carried its usual gloom even in the morning, the low-hanging clouds spilling a persistent drizzle that made the streets glisten. Despite this, the sense of danger that had been part of this city for decades had lessened. Patrols were more frequent, gang activity had dropped, and more citizens dared to walk the streets with cautious optimism. Yet Gotham remained Gotham, dark, unpredictable, alive in its own brooding way.

Arthur and Raven walked side by side along a narrow street, their pace relaxed, shoulders brushing slightly as they moved. "George was right," Arthur said quietly, eyes scanning the buildings and alleys around them. "I can already see over five people planning how to rob us. Apparently, we look like easy rich targets."

Raven, casually munching on a pastry she had grabbed from a small street vendor, looked up at him, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, they are in for a surprise if they try," she said with a playful voice.

Arthur exhaled softly, shaking his head. "It's not as if Batman or my shadow Joker is slacking… but this city cannot be healed, it seems, even if the crime rate dropped drastically." His tone was not bitter, just resigned, an acknowledgement of Gotham's stubborn criminal nature.

Raven's expression darkened slightly, her fingers brushing against the wrapper of her pastry before she crumpled it and dropped it into a nearby trash can. "It seems some Humans never change." she said simply.

Arthur glanced at her as they continued walking, the rain dripping off. For a moment, he considered speaking, but no words came. He simply watched her. And they kept walking, until Raven suddenly stopped.

Arthur took one more step before noticing.

"…What is it?"

Raven didn't answer.

She was staring, at a certain store.

Bright and colorful, completely out of place in Gotham's gray palette.

A game store, rows of small targets lined up at the back, with a man lazily spinning a set of rings around bottles. Above it hung prizes, plush toys, cheap trinkets, oversized stuffed animals.

Arthur followed her gaze.

Then looked back at her.

"…No."

Raven slowly turned her head toward him.

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't need to."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a flicker of amusement there.

"You're telling me," she said, stepping closer to the store, "that the all-powerful Monarch of Shadows is afraid of a children's game?"

Arthur's eyebrow twitched.

"And you are telling me that the all-powerful daughter of Trigon wants a stuffed animal? Also, I'm not afraid."

"Then prove it."

There it was, the challenge.

Arthur exhaled slowly, already knowing he had lost the moment she stopped walking.

"…Fine."

The stall owner perked up immediately as they approached. "Step right up! Simple game, three throws, knock all the targets and you win any prize!"

Arthur glanced at the setup.

Then at Raven.

"…You're serious right?"

Raven folded her arms, with a smile. "Completely."

Arthur picked up the small throwing balls, weighing one in his hand.

For a brief moment,

His violet eyes flickered.

Then dimmed again.

'I'll try to throw it as human as possible...'

Just a throw.

The first ball left his hand.

It struck clean and almost left a hole in the wall behind the target, for a moment the stall owner eyes widened as he couldn't quite believe it.

Raven chuckled a bit.

'Shit... That was still too strong..' Arthur muttered.

One target down.

Second throw

Another hit.

The stall owner leaned forward slightly, interest piqued.

Third throw,

Arthur paused.

Just slightly.

Then released.

The ball struck and the targets collapsed.

The stall owner clapped once. "Well done! Pick your prize!"

Arthur didn't even look.

He turned to Raven.

"…Choose."

Raven's eyes moved over the prizes.

Then, she pointed.

A large, dark-colored raven plush, slightly worn but oddly fitting.

Arthur took it without comment and handed it to her.

Raven blinked, surprised for just a second,

Then accepted it.

"…It suits me."

Arthur's lips curved faintly. "Well, it is a raven..."

They walked again.

This time, Raven held the plush loosely in one hand.

And for a while, neither of them spoke.

Until, a blur of movement shot past them between buildings.

Arthur didn't even need to look.

"…Speedster."

Raven tilted her head slightly.

"Yours?"

Arthur's eyes narrowed for a bit.

"No.. that was a human but he didn't look dangerous."

He paused for a moment.

"He wasn't that fast, he is probably one of the newly awakened civilians."

Raven looked back and said "My... what a power to awaken, will there be plenty of those around?"

"Yes, though they will not have the same abilities, and certainly some will be unique. The gates will influence them differently, their power levels will be quite different too. Some will reject this mana completely and fall sick, that's the worst part of it." Arthur explained calmly.

Raven simply nodded.

Arthur glanced at her again, watching the way she carried that small, ridiculous prize like it actually mattered.

And something in his expression softened.

"…We should do this more often."

Raven didn't look at him, but her fingers tightened slightly around his sleeve as they walked.

"Yeah."

They walked until the sound of muffled sobs pulled them from their stroll. Ahead, a small crowd had gathered under the awning of a shuttered storefront. The rain had soaked the bystanders, coats clinging, hats pulled low, but they lingered, their attention fixed on the center of the circle.

Arthur and Raven's steps slowed as they neared, the crowd parted slightly, revealing the source of their gathering: a man lay crumpled on the wet pavement, still, pale, the red bloom of blood stark against his coat. Clutched against him was a child, a small girl, barely more than five or six, sobbing violently, her tiny hands pressed to her father's chest. Her cries were raw, aching and hopeless.

Raven's voice was barely a whisper, a tremor of unease threading through it. "Arthur…"

He didn't respond immediately. His violet eyes took in the scene, measuring, calculating, feeling the ripples of fear and grief, the tension in the gathered crowd. Then he spoke, calmly. "Let's... Let's just see what's going on here.."

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