Marvel: Batman x Ironman

AN: Yeah, yeah. I know. Slow update. Right now, I am focusing on mass release of Spiderman 0X since I am ending it this week. So, after that you will get stable updates.

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The trio stepped out of the house, feeling the crisp morning air and the bright openness of clear skies. The sun was just edging itself above the horizon, casting a golden glow everywhere it touched. Morgan squinted at the new light, which both felt strangely familiar and comforting. She breathed deeply into the fresh open air, a feeling she hadn't had for what felt like an eternity.

Harley stretched her arms up and grinned. "Ah, nothing like a morning walk to get those muscles moving!" She nudged Morgan. "You ready, kiddo?"

Morgan nodded, still going through the motions of dealing with the concept of freedom and expansive nature. "It feels. strange. It's been so long since I was outside."

Bruce walked by their side; he was watching Morgan closely. He could feel the tenseness in her, but there was also a spark in her eyes. "Take it one step at a time. You and your body will take some time to know and adjust to movement. Do not strain yourself too much."

Morgan smiled faintly at him. "I'll be all right. I want to see everything. I want to feel everything. I can't waste any more time."

As they strolled down a winding path lined with tall trees, Harley kept up her usual playful banter, pointing out birds and making exaggerated guesses about what they were thinking. "See that one over there? I bet it's plotting a heist to steal breadcrumbs from someone's picnic. Little crook's got that look in its eye," she joked.

Morgan laughed. "I think it looks more like it's just enjoying the sun."

"Yeah, yeah," Harley flicked a hand over the top of it all. "But it's more fun my way. You ever wanna plan a heist or break in somewhere, come straight to me."

The banter was easy and lighthearted, and Morgan could begin to relax in the moment. She glanced around; the colors seemed more intense, the sounds clearer. Like everything in the world had just been muted forever until now, and she was suddenly seeing in high definition for the first time.

They came upon a small lake that lay shining like a mirror. Morgan stopped and looked in the water. Her face was gray and filled with exhaustion, unlike it had ever been before. She raked her fingers through her hair, it was longer than she remembered.

"You look different," she murmured to herself.

Harley sat down on the grass next to her and viewed the reflection too. "We all do, kid. Time does that. But you still have that spark in your eyes. That's what matters."

Bruce sat on the other side of Morgan, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You've been through a lot, Morgan. It's okay to take your time adjusting. There's no hurry."

Morgan let out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "It's just. so much, I was trapped for so long. Every day I dreamed of escaping, of seeing you again, but I never really thought it would happen. And now that it's happened, it feels unreal."

"It'll take some time to feel real," Bruce said softly. "But I give you my word, I am not leaving. Neither is Harley. We are here for you."

"Yeah, you're stuck with us, kiddo!" Harley grinned, then shot a mischievous look at Bruce. "But you remember that first time I met your dad? It was a freakin' warzone and we had this nuclear bomb ticking. He was like stone-faced and sulky and hardly cracked a smile for anyone. I thought he was a robot at first."

Morgan let out a soft laugh at the image. "Really?"

Bruce frowned at her. "I wasn't that awful."

"Oh, you were. Be a good girl or get vaporized with the others," Harley said mimicking Bruce's expression. "But see now. You are smiling more often and you have a daughter who's just as tough as you are."

Morgan's chest filled with warmth at Harley's words. It was strange to feel that sense of family with Harley.

A few hours passed and they got up and continued on with their walk. Morgan's legs were shaking but she forced on through at least to keep moving on. They reached a small clearing where the sunlight was pouring in, creating a natural spotlight.

Harley spun around with her arms wide open. "Alright, kiddo, let's get those muscles working. How about a little training session?"

Morgan blinked. "Training? Like a workout?"

"Yup! Nothing too crazy, just some light stretches and movement. It'll help you regain your strength faster," Harley explained.

Bruce nodded in agreement. "She's right. A little exercise will help you get your stamina back up."

Morgan hesitated but then nodded. "Okay, let's do it."

They start off with easy stretching exercises under Harley's direction. Morgan followed her movements. Bruce sits across a few steps away from them, smiling proudly as he watches. He can see it in her eyes - the drive he had seen so many times within himself. It was bittersweet, knowing she had inherited that from him, but also knowing it had come at a cost.

As she continued with the exercises, Morgan tripped a couple of times; her muscles were not strong enough to hold her up. But still, she found the strength in herself to keep moving forward. She would not give up. Each time she fell, she stood up for herself, the tough look with lines that spoke of a resolution deepening into her face.

"You're doing great, Morgan," Bruce encouraged.

Harley offered a hand to help Morgan up after another fall. "Not bad for a first try. You're a tough girl, just like me."

Morgan grabbed her hand, smiling even though sweat trickled down her brow. "Thanks."

They sat on the grass after a bit, resting. Morgan was panting, but she looked more alive than she had in years.

"So," Harley said, lying on the grass and looking upwards at the sky. "What's next for you, Morgan? Any big plans now that you're back?"

Morgan thought for a moment. "I don't know, I just want to hang out with you and Dad. Make new friends. Maybe call some of my old friends and see how they are doing. I... I want to figure out what my life is supposed to be now. Everything feels so new and scary, but I think I want to start over. Maybe do something meaningful."

After chatting for a moment...

Harley sat up. "Pizza? Now that's a great idea. Nothing like melted cheese, sauce, and carbs to toast freedom!"

Morgan laughed, her excitement welling up as she pictured it. "I haven't had pizza in… feels like an eternity."

Bruce smiled at her enthusiasm. "Then it's settled. There's a fantastic little place off by the lake that makes some amazing brick-oven pizza. Let's go there."

Three of them walked into a restaurant and, with each step, Morgan felt a little better. It was a small cozy place, but it had an open patio overhanging the lake, and the warm smell of melting cheese and fresh dough wafted toward them as they entered.

They spotted a table outside with a view of the water, and Harley took charge of ordering. "We're going to do one classic, all-meat, and one supreme with extra cheese," she declared with a grin. "Because why not?"

Morgan laughed and shook her head. "I'm not going to try and stop you."

They told their stories as well, waiting for supper to get there. Harley filled Morgan in on some of the wild adventures she had been on, exaggerating with hand gestures as she described how close to death she'd come when a high-speed car chase almost sent her careening into a ditch. Then how she and Diana stole the Batmobile and raced some street punks.

Then came the pizzas, all steaming and so very delicious. Morgan took a bite, and the light bulged from her eyes. "This. this is just wonderful!" she said, her voice muffled in a mouth full of cheese and sauce.

"See? I told you," Harley grinned to herself, taking a huge bite.

They ate until they were stuffed, laughing and swapping memories over mouthfuls.

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[Back at Shield's Hellicarrier]

"Is he ready to meet me?" Hela asked Selina as she took a sip of wine.

Selina looked down at the wine glass in her hand, swirling the contents before answering. "Yup! Taking you to his house tonight."

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[Reborn as Ironman> 9 chs]