SUPERMAN TRIES TO ARREST TOOTHLESS
For five peaceful months, Toothless had grown from a squeaking hatchling into a sleek, midnight-black Night Fury large enough to rival a Bat-gyro.
The Manor had… adjusted.
The tech labs now had claw marks.
The indoor pool was now "Toothless's fishing spot."
And the Bat-Family had officially stopped asking why the dragon hummed like an engine when happy.
Tonight, Damian finally allowed Toothless outside the pocket dimension for a proper flight.
Nightwing watched Toothless crouch down low, pupils wide, wings stretched.
"Okay… so he's basically a living jet," he muttered.
Damian smirked.
"Faster."
Tim, still holding the fish Toothless spat his retractable teeth into earlier, muttered, "I'm never gonna get used to that."
Toothless chirped, nudged Damian's hand…
And took off into the sky with a sound like a thunderclap.
METROPOLIS — THEN EVERYTHING WENT WRONG
Night flights over Metropolis were usually calm, quiet, relaxing.
Tonight?
NOT SO MUCH.
Because Lex Luthor had spotted Toothless on satellite.
And Lex, being Lex, immediately called Superman with one dramatic sentence:
"An alien weapon is flying loose over Metropolis."
Superman arrived before Toothless even finished his second lap around the city.
The Man of Steel cut through the air in a streak of blue and red — landing directly in Toothless's flight path.
Toothless screeched, swerved upward, nearly barrel-rolling Damian off his back.
"Superman!" Damian snapped, clinging to the saddle. "What are you doing?!"
Superman's eyes glowed, scanning Toothless from head to tail.
"Damian, that creature is dangerous. It isn't from Earth. It needs to go into containment."
Toothless growled — a low, vibrating warning.
Damian's jaw clenched.
He guided Toothless lower, landing on a rooftop. Superman followed.
THE FACE-OFF
Superman:
"Where did you get this creature?"
Damian (flatly):
"He's mine."
Superman frowned. Hard.
"Damian, this isn't a pet. This thing flew at Mach speed through Metropolis. It could flatten buildings just by landing."
Damian folded his arms.
"He's trained. He listens to me. He's harmless unless provoked."
Toothless, sensing tension, stepped in front of Damian — wings fanned out protectively, pupils narrowed.
Superman raised his hands.
"I'm not here to hurt him. But I am placing him under temporary custody until we determine where he came from."
Damian's voice turned icy.
"You're not taking him."
BATMAN ARRIVES
A jet-black shadow dropped onto the rooftop.
Batman.
Cape unfurled. Expression unreadable.
He stepped beside Damian without hesitation.
Superman sighed.
"Bruce… tell him this isn't safe."
Batman looked at Toothless — who was leaning into Damian's side like an oversized cat.
Then he looked at Clark.
"This is my son's companion," Batman said calmly. "He stays with us."
Superman blinked.
"You're serious? Bruce — that thing is a biological weapon!"
Damian snapped:
"He has a name. Toothless."
Superman hesitated, scanning the dragon again.
"And why does he have—"
He frowned.
"—an energy profile similar to magic and star-core radiation combined?"
Batman's eyes narrowed slightly — the subtle expression of realizing a new mystery had just opened.
Damian swallowed.
He needed a story that wasn't "The System gave him to me."
So he said:
"A magical ecosystem. Hidden realm. Ancient species. I rescued the egg."
Batman almost side-eyed him — almost — but let the lie stand.
Superman exhaled slowly.
"Damian… if this creature becomes a threat, I'll have to intervene."
Damian didn't back down.
"And if you try to take him, you'll become the threat."
Toothless growled again in agreement.
Batman put a hand on Damian's shoulder.
"Clark. He stays."
There was a long, tense silence.
Finally, Superman pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…Fine. But I want regular check-ins. And if anything happens—"
"It won't," Batman cut in.
Toothless flicked his tail smugly.
Superman shook his head, defeated.
"I can't believe this. Bruce… your family is getting stranger every year."
Nightwing dropped down from the shadows beside them and shrugged.
"Welcome to the club."
SUPERMAN LEAVES — RELUCTANTLY
Superman floated into the air.
"I'll trust you, Damian. But please—keep your… dragon… away from downtown Metropolis."
Damian smirked.
"No promises."
Superman groaned.
Then he was gone.
AFTER
Damian stroked Toothless's head.
"You did good, bud."
Toothless purred — loudly — and gently nudged his forehead against Damian's chest.
Batman finally spoke.
"Damian."
"…Yes?"
Batman's voice was calm, but firm.
"Next time you introduce a dragon to the world… warn me first."
Damian nodded.
"Yeah… that's fair."
Nightwing laughed in the background.