Chapter 3: First Bonds (Part 2)
The metal support groaned.
A loud snap echoed across the courtyard.
The decorative lighting rig tilted forward.
Directly beneath it, several younger students stood frozen in fear.
Someone screamed.
"Look out!"
Before anyone else could react, Bruce was already moving.
He sprinted toward the children without hesitation.
Alexander's instincts screamed at him to do the same.
But if he ran openly…
People would see what he could do.
Time seemed to slow.
Bruce would reach them…
Just barely.
Alexander took a slow breath.
A tiny amount.
Only enough to help.
Without raising a hand, he released the smallest thread of Ki.
The invisible force nudged the collapsing support just enough to change its angle.
Bruce dove forward.
He grabbed the nearest child and pushed two others out of the way.
The metal structure crashed to the ground with a deafening clang, missing everyone by only a few inches.
For a moment…
The entire courtyard was silent.
Then teachers and parents rushed toward the scene.
"Is anyone hurt?"
"I-I'm okay…"
"Someone call maintenance!"
Bruce helped the frightened children to their feet.
"It's alright," he said reassuringly. "You're safe."
Alexander quietly stepped over, making sure no one had noticed his part in what had happened.
Almost no one had.
Almost.
Bruce looked toward the bent support beam.
His eyes narrowed.
He had been close enough to see it.
It hadn't simply fallen.
Something had… pushed it.
He glanced at Alexander.
Alexander offered a calm smile.
Bruce looked away.
Maybe I imagined it.
The remainder of the festival was cut short while staff inspected the grounds.
Victor and Eleanor found Alexander near the front entrance.
"You alright?" Eleanor asked.
Alexander nodded.
"Everyone's okay."
Victor smiled with relief.
"That's what matters."
A familiar voice interrupted them.
"Mr. Sterling."
Victor turned.
Alfred Pennyworth approached with Bruce beside him.
"It's been far too long."
Victor smiled warmly.
"Alfred."
The two men shook hands.
"It's good to see you again."
Bruce looked between them.
"You know each other?"
Alfred smiled.
"Your father and Mr. Sterling worked together on several charitable projects years ago."
Victor nodded.
"Thomas Wayne was one of the finest men I've ever known."
Bruce smiled quietly.
"Thank you."
Alexander remained silent.
He could tell Bruce missed hearing people speak about his parents with kindness instead of pity.
Before leaving, Bruce reached into his pocket.
"I almost forgot."
He handed Alexander a folded piece of paper.
"My phone number."
Alexander blinked.
"You actually want to keep talking about engines?"
Bruce laughed.
"And chemistry."
"And robotics."
Alexander grinned.
"I'd like that."
The two boys shook hands once more before parting ways.
As the Wayne limousine pulled away, Bruce looked out the window toward Alexander.
Something about him didn't add up.
He wasn't sure why.
But someday…
He intended to find out.
Back at Sterling Manor, dinner was unusually lively.
Eleanor smiled as Alexander excitedly described the inventions he'd seen.
"There was a rescue drone that could map collapsed buildings."
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"The design was good…"
Alexander admitted.
"…but I already thought of three ways to improve it."
Victor laughed.
"I have absolutely no doubt."
Eleanor smiled knowingly.
"Maybe one day you'll build it."
Alexander looked thoughtful.
"Maybe."
Later that evening, he returned beneath the manor.
The underground chamber was quiet.
Serah appeared beside the Saiyan pod.
"You intervened today."
Alexander nodded.
"I had to."
"You used almost no Ki."
"I remembered what you taught me."
"The smallest action needed."
Serah smiled.
"You are beginning to understand what it means to protect."
Alexander leaned against the railing overlooking the training floor.
"I made a friend today."
"I know."
"He reminds me of you."
Alexander laughed.
"I don't think Bruce would like hearing that."
"No."
"He is far more stubborn."
Alexander couldn't argue with that.
Serah waved her hand, replacing the training room with a holographic image of Earth suspended in the darkness of space.
The blue planet slowly rotated before them.
"When Saiyans looked upon a world…"
"They often saw only its value."
"Resources."
"Strategic position."
"Conquest."
Alexander quietly watched the planet turn.
"What do you see?"
Serah asked.
He thought for several moments before answering.
"I see home."
The AI remained silent.
Then, for the first time since activating years ago…
She bowed her head.
"Then your parents succeeded."
Alexander looked at her.
"They hoped the last Saiyan would become something our people had never been."
"A guardian."
Silence filled the chamber.
Alexander looked once more at the tiny blue world floating before him.
He had been born among the stars.
But Earth had given him something Planet Vegeta never could.
A family.
Friends.
A place where he belonged.
And if the day ever came when someone threatened that peace…
He wouldn't fight because he was a Saiyan.
He would fight because Earth was his home.
Far across Gotham, Bruce Wayne sat at his desk, already sketching ideas for improving the rescue drone he and Alexander had discussed.
Hundreds of miles away in Smallville, Clark Kent raced across the fields with Krypto happily chasing beside him, laughing as the dog effortlessly kept pace.
None of the three boys knew what the future held.
But without realizing it, they had each taken another step toward becoming the heroes the world would one day need.