Chapter 4: A Day at Wayne Manor
The Monday after the Founders Festival, Gotham Academy felt different.
Not because of the classes.
Not because of the teachers.
But because Alexander Sterling now had someone waiting for him before first period.
"Morning."
Alexander looked up from his locker and smiled.
"Morning, Bruce."
Bruce held up a notebook.
"I couldn't stop thinking about that rescue drone."
Alexander laughed.
"You actually redesigned it?"
Bruce handed him the notebook.
"I think I fixed the stability problem."
Alexander carefully studied the sketches.
"…You did."
Bruce blinked.
"Really?"
"You also reduced the weight by almost twenty percent."
Bruce smiled.
"I was hoping you'd notice."
The two spent the next several minutes discussing engineering instead of preparing for class.
Several nearby students watched in confusion.
"Are they talking about homework?"
"I think they're arguing over engines."
"They're definitely weird."
Neither Alexander nor Bruce cared.
Over the following weeks, their friendship grew naturally.
They studied together after school.
Played chess during lunch.
Competed to solve advanced mathematics problems before their teachers finished writing them on the board.
Sometimes Bruce won.
Sometimes Alexander did.
Neither minded losing.
It only made the next challenge more interesting.
One Friday afternoon, Alfred arrived at Gotham Academy.
He approached Alexander just as classes ended.
"Master Alexander."
Alexander looked around.
"Me?"
Alfred smiled.
"Master Bruce was wondering if you would care to visit Wayne Manor this weekend."
Alexander blinked.
"I'd love to."
Victor was delighted.
"It's been years since I've visited Wayne Manor."
Eleanor smiled.
"Remember your manners."
Alexander chuckled.
"I always do."
"Exactly."
Saturday arrived.
The Sterling family car slowly passed through the enormous iron gates protecting Wayne Manor.
Alexander couldn't help but admire the estate.
It wasn't flashy.
It was timeless.
Centuries of Gotham's history seemed woven into every stone.
Bruce waited outside with Alfred.
"Welcome."
Alexander smiled.
"Thanks for inviting me."
Bruce shrugged.
"I figured you'd appreciate the library."
He wasn't wrong.
The Wayne Manor library was enormous.
Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling.
Books covered nearly every subject imaginable.
History.
Engineering.
Medicine.
Architecture.
Astronomy.
Alexander stared in amazement.
"I've never seen this many books."
Bruce smiled.
"I've read about half."
Alexander looked at him.
"…You're kidding."
"I'm not."
Alexander laughed.
"I suddenly have competition."
The boys spent the afternoon exploring the manor.
Bruce showed Alexander the art gallery, the greenhouse, and the observatory Thomas Wayne had loved.
"This was my father's favorite room."
Alexander looked through the telescope.
The afternoon sky was clear.
"I can see why."
Bruce smiled.
"He always said looking at the stars reminded him that there was always more to learn."
Alexander quietly nodded.
"I think your father would've liked mine."
Bruce looked at him.
"What were they like?"
Alexander smiled warmly.
"My mom worries whenever I leave the house."
"My dad always encourages me to ask questions."
Bruce listened carefully.
"They sound wonderful."
"They are."
Alexander paused.
"If you ever want…"
"…they'd be happy to have you over."
Bruce was surprised.
"You mean that?"
"Of course."
Bruce smiled.
"I'd like that."
As the boys walked through one of the manor's long hallways, Alexander suddenly stopped.
His ears twitched slightly beneath his hair.
Bruce noticed.
"What is it?"
Alexander frowned.
"I thought I heard…"
A faint scratching sound echoed from behind one of the walls.
Bruce listened.
"I don't hear anything."
Alexander quickly smiled.
"Probably just mice."
He chose not to mention that the sound was nearly fifty feet below them.
Later, Alfred served tea and pastries in the dining room.
Victor and Alfred spoke about Gotham's future while Eleanor admired the manor's gardens.
Bruce watched Alexander quietly.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How do you stay so calm?"
Alexander tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing seems to surprise you."
Alexander thought for a moment.
"My dad says that if you panic…"
"…you stop thinking."
Bruce nodded slowly.
"I like that."
"I've been trying to do the same."
As evening approached, Alexander prepared to leave.
Bruce handed him another notebook.
"Half the ideas are yours."
Alexander flipped through it.
The two had unknowingly designed several pieces of technology that would one day resemble equipment used by Batman.
"This is awesome."
"We'll finish it next weekend."
Alexander grinned.
"It's a deal."
The two shook hands before the Sterlings departed.
That night, beneath Sterling Manor, Serah reviewed the day's recordings.
"You have formed a meaningful friendship."
Alexander smiled.
"I think Bruce needed one."
"And you?"
Alexander looked thoughtful.
"So did I."
Serah nodded.
"Strength is not measured solely by one's ability to fight."
"It is also measured by the bonds one chooses to protect."
Alexander looked at the Saiyan pod.
"When I first found out I was a Saiyan…"
"I thought I had lost everything."
He smiled softly.
"But I guess…"
"I've actually gained a family."
"And now…"
"…a friend."
For the first time in years, Serah ended the day's lesson without assigning any training.
Instead, she simply said,
"Enjoy being a child, Alexander."
"Those days pass more quickly than you realize."
Alexander smiled.
"I will."
And for the first time since arriving on Earth, the last Saiyan looked forward not to his next training session…
But to spending another weekend with his best friend.