Chapter Text

Summary:

Kori’andr, the princess of Tamaran, is the only surviving member of her planet. Something Clark Kent knows all about. Except Kori’andr, now known as Kory Ander Kent, or “Korky” by her adopted parents, didn’t even have a cousin who survived the attack on her planet by the demonic entity, the monster: Trigon. Her parents, hearing about how the Kryptonians: Clark and Kara, were saved, decided to do the same, and placed their daughter in a pod for her own safety. Discovered by a newly married Clark Kent, he and his wife, Lois, decide to raise the alien princess as their own. Years later, they are happy they did so, as Kory has helped her adopted father save the Earth, other planets, and their family, many times over, even as a child.

Meanwhile, Richard “Dick” Grayson is adopted by Bruce Wayne after the death of his parents. Angry, vengeful, and filled with a murderous desire to hunt down and kill anyone even remotely connected to the loss of his parents, Dick is trained by Bruce, aka “Batman”, to become “Robin.” Growing up, knowing about superheroes, aliens, metahumans, and the like, Dick doesn’t see the world, the universe(s), humanity, or the like, as anything filled with sunshine, flowers, and unicorns. For him it is much darker, much more dangerous, filled with terror, fear, anger, and death. Until the day he meets Kory Kent. The two orphans go on to become best friends, helped by the fact that both of their adopted fathers are superheroes, and members of the Justice League. Their friendship was not a problem for either dad, since it made things much easier for the League as a whole–and allowed them both to keep an eye on the other, discreetly–until the day that Dick notices Kory as a woman for the first time.

While Bruce finds his son’s growing affection for the alien princess amusing, the Son of Krypton: Superman, does not. The only being more precious to Clark than his daughter is his wife, Lois, and the amount separating them is miniscule. But, when Clark tries to intervene in the burgeoning relationship between his daughter and the circus orphan turned vigilante, he sets off a chain of events which will lead to relationships, world-changing events, dangerous situations, unexpected consequences, and a love story for the ages… fated before either Dick or Kory were even born.

The Prologue: When Kory and Dick got Adopted

A long time ago

The Tragedy of The Tamaran Princess

The destruction of their kingdom rained down upon the land, the buildings, and the people of Tamaran as if X’Hal herself were crying over her creation. Myand’r looked over at his wife, Luand’r, as she held their daughter, Koriand’r, in her arms. While their other two children: their eldest, Ryand’r, and their youngest, Komand’r, clung to the skirts of their mother’s royal robes. His heart clenched painfully in his chest as he stared at the four of them. The decision had to be made, and it had to be made quickly. He didn’t truly understand the prophecy, didn’t know why, of all three of his children, only one would survive, but he would not question the seers, elders, advisers, nor the soothsayers. They had all been studying, researching, and divining the centuries-old prophecy about Koriand’r since the moment it had been given. It had not changed. There was no misinterpretation, there was no confusion around the words. The edict had been clear, and so too, was Myand’r’s decision.

“Place her in the pod, Luand’r,” he gently commanded his queen.

“But she shall be alone, My,” Luand’r argued. “At least allow me to place Komand’r wih her, to be her companion. Or Ryand’r, to be her protector,” she pleaded.

Myand’r walked up to his wife and gently cupped her cheek in his hand. Their kingdom, their people, their world was falling to destruction, thanks to the monster that was Trigon. Their lives would be lost. Their way of life. Their people. They could not try to save more than Koriand’r, in favor of their own children, while the lives of other children of Tamaran, were snuffed out.

Koriand’r could be the only one, because she was the one destined to save them all. To save everyone. All universes. All planets. All people.

Koriand’r would be the one to bring back the kingdom of Tamaran and the strength, beauty, and heartbeat of her people.

But only her.

“We cannot, my love,” Myand’r whispered softly. He lifted Koriand’r from her mother’s arms, and smiled down into the green eyes that shone from her dark brown face, the orange and blue flames of her power swirling and shining beneath her skin. Calling forth his own power, he whispered the words that would stifle, hide, and hinder Koriand’r’s powers until she had reached the age of maturity. After completing the spell, he placed various rings and bracelets upon her. They would grow and expand as she did, always there for her, to explain her powers, to educate her on Tamaran, her family, her people and her gifts.

They were the last and the only gifts he could give her to remind her of her destiny. Of her purpose.

Of their love for her.

“May X’Hal guide you on your journey, to the planet, and the family who are to raise you, when we cannot,” Myand’r whispered, before placing a kiss upon the 2-year old’s forehead. He lowered her gently, letting Ryand’r and Komand’r kiss her goodbye as well, before allowing his wife to hug her tightly, placing kisses all over her face. The sound of Koriand’r’s giggle made Myand’r smile sadly.

It would be the last time they would hear the joyful sound.

Taking her back from Queen Luand’r, King Myand’r placed Princess Koriand’r into the tiny space pod, and put in the coordinates which had been foretold long ago.

First the Galactic Coordinates: 0° longitude by 0° latitude for the planet known as Earth. Then 38° latitude by 94°35’W longitude for a “ state ” called Kansas. Finally 38° 52’N, 95° 35’W for a “ city ” known as Smallville. Focusing even further, Myand’r made sure his daughter’s pod would land in the exact same location as the Kryptonian known as Superman .

“May X’Hal’s grace and hand guide you, my sweetheart,” Myand’r said, just before launching the pod containing his daughter, Koriand’r, into space.

Turning at the sound of a monstrous roar, and the screams and pleas for mercy coming from the surviving population of Tamaran, King Myand’r placed his arms around his remaining family, and led them out of the palace to stand with their people, and face their destruction, head first.

And launched into space, without a full understanding of why, was the last hope of Tamaran, and indeed the last hope of all creation, over countless planets, universes, solar systems, planetary systems, lifetimes, space, and time. Though it would take a long time, many mistakes, various meetings and scenarios, friendships, an adopted family, and the destined love of a very special kind of bird, before The Lost Princess, The Last Hope, The Chosen One… Starfire, also known as Koriand’r, or as she would come to be called: Kory Ander Kent, would be able to not only know her destiny, but fulfill it as well.

The Tragedy of The Special Bird

John Grayson, even decades into the future, as he watched his only son live, grow, and mature without his biological parents, would never regret standing up to Tony Zucco. Growing up, before running away from his parents and joining the circus, John had watched in terror and horror as his parents committed crime after crime, gaining money through fear and intimidation, oftentimes using their own son for their schemes and crimes. John had never stood up to them, not once. Not even when he ran away. There was no confrontation. There wasn’t even a letter left to let them know what he’d thought about them. He’d simply… left.

It wasn’t until he’d met and fallen in love with Mary Beagle, that John found that he wasn’t a coward as he’d thought of himself for years.

He just hadn’t had anything worth standing up for.

Now he did.

At first he’d had his wife, and then, two years into their marriage, he had a son. Richard John Grayson, though they called him “Dick” outside of the tent, and “Robin” inside of it.

John’s life was perfect. He had a beautiful wife and a strong, happy son. A son who’d developed a code of honor, justice, and truth that had been missing from his paternal grandparents. And the three of them had a very popular, very profitable circus act: The Flying Graysons.

They were sought after, cheered, and revered no matter which city the circus rolled into. John had no reason to be concerned. He had no reason to hesitate when Haly informed the company that they were heading to Gotham. While it wasn’t the most criminal city in the country, it was definitely Top Five, possibly tied with Coast City, Central City, Star City, and Metropolis. But, while the city itself was bleak and seemed to pulsate with despair, it was also for those reasons that it was the best place for the circus to make a weekend-stay.

People who were used to dark clouds of despair constantly hanging over their heads, were the ones who needed a glimpse of sunshine the most.

Which was probably why Tony Zucco sought out the company for his racketeering scheme.

But it was Mary’s connection to Alfred Pennyworth–the butler and former guardian of billionaire bachelor, Bruce Wayne–that had really caused the mobster to seek out the circus family. A distant relative, the daughter of Alfred’s half-sister, Mary was beautiful, educated, cultured, and talented. John had always felt as if he’d married up . That he’d managed to bespell a woman who was completely out of his league, and with the way Tony Zucco had salivated over his wife was further proof that Mary was special.

All of these thoughts crowded John’s mind as his body fell from the sky, hurtling towards the ground, Mary’s screams filling his ears as she tumbled after him.

But it was Dick’s cry, his heartwrenching, heartbreaking shout of “Nooo!!” that had really captured John’s attention. He yelled Dick’s name, only seconds before Death claimed him.

And still, even though standing up to Tony Zucco had led to his and Mary’s deaths, causing them to leave behind their only son to an uncertain future–or at least uncertain to Dick, Mary and John had sought out Alfred Pennyworth, along with Clay, aware that standing up to a mobster put their lives at risk, and asked the older man to look out for their son should anything happen–he did not regret his decision. It was the right one to make. Not only for their family, but for all creation.

Something he found out as soon as he and Mary passed over into the spirit realm. For it was there he met King Myand’r and Queen Luand’r, the royal heads of a planet called Tamaran. And when they shared with them–John and Mary–the prophecy of their planet about the monster Trigon, their daughter Koriand’r, and “the special bird” who would take on many different names of various birds, but would always be the son of John Grayson, John had never felt so proud.

He may have been the child of criminals, but he’d married an angel, and they’d given birth to a superhero, who would save all of creation.

It was the greatest, most impossible, dream a circus freak could ever ask for.

A Super Man and A Bat Man Adopt… Separately (Sorry, It’s Not THAT kind of story) 2 Years After The Destruction of Tamaran, 6 Months After The Death of John and Mary Grayson

“I never expected to see you here,” Bruce Wayne, aka Batman , said with a smirk as Clark Kent, aka Superman , signed the Sign-In sheet at the JLDA counter (Justice League Daycare & Academy).

Clark turned and looked at Bruce, shaking his head at the man who stood before him in complete uniform.

Even his “bat ears” were on.

“Yeah, well…” Clark shrugged. “Usually Lois watches Kory when I have Watchtower duty, but she’s chasing down a story, and she said last time she did that with Kory along, some… um…” He cleared his throat. “... some people got burned.”

Bruce chuckled and nodded at Starfire with approval. Clark scowled and placed his hand on top of Kory’s braided red hair. He’d have to remember to thank Vixen for stopping by yesterday for “wash day,” since it seemed to take her and Lois all day to wash, condition, dry, comb, grease, and braid Kory’s long red locs.

When Kory glanced up at him, with a look of concern, Clark found himself squatting in front of her, the tights of his own superhero costume pulling snuggly over his thighs and ass–hey, he didn’t have his cape on, so he wasn’t in full superhero gear–and he cradled his daughter’s cheek. When Kory gave him a small smile, Clark grinned widely at her. There was absolutely nothing that made Clark happier than his daughter. Well… maybe his wife… sometimes. He loved Lois, absolutely adored her and couldn’t imagine his life without her, but, there was something about being Kory’s father… something about being a girl dad that just trumped everything else.

“Daddy’s not mad at you, and neither is Mommy, okay?” He reassured her. Kory’s green eyes glowed, her brown skin taking on an orange tint, as she launched herself at Clark, hugging his neck tightly. Clark sighed, glad that he’d figured out why his daughter had been so reserved lately, also glad that this time Kory was hugging him in her excitement and not accidentally singeing the hem of her grandmother’s dress when she was offered oatmeal raisin cookies.

“Adorable,” Bruce snarked and Clark looked up at him, quirking an eyebrow. As he stood, Clark held Kory in his arms, causing the young girl to squeal with joy.

“Problem?” Clark asked.

Bruce shook his head, paused, then nodded. He pointed past the counter they stood at, where a hallway stood leading towards the various classrooms, recreational areas, dining areas, napping rooms, and training rooms that were set aside for the progeny, proteges, and young sidekicks who were brought to the Watchtower. Clark could only hazard a guess that down that way was the current number one source of Bruce’s frustration.

Dick Grayson , aka Robin .

“Trouble with Robin?” Clark asked, and Bruce sighed deeply with a nod.

But before either man could say another word, Kory let out a loud squeal of happiness and launched herself out of Clark’s arms, across the counter, and directly into the arms of… well look at that.

Dick Grayson, the Brooding and Usually Angry Boy Wonder, had the biggest smile Clark had ever seen on his face. Clark looked over at Bruce, who looked just as stunned as he did.

Who knew Dick could smile?

“Ahh, I see you two have finally been made aware of the RobStar connection,” Dinah Lance, aka Black Canary , said with amusement in her tone as she came to stand between Clark and Bruce.

“I’m sorry, the what now?” Bruce asked.

“The RobStar connection,” Dinah repeated. “Short for Robin and Starfire?” Dinah shook her head with a tinkling laugh. “I heard some of the teachers say it. Apparently,” she pointed at Dick and Kory as Dick walked away, holding Kory in his arms as the little girl chattered away, the smile never leaving Dick’s face.

Clark had never seen Kory… talk so much. He’d also never seen her glow… blue before. What the heck?

“Apparently, when Dick is around, Kory is pleasant, talkative, engages with others. And when Kory is around Dick, he smiles, he gets involved in his classes, his training, and he helps out with the younger kids.”

Clark looked over at Dinah, at the same that Bruce did.

“Apparently, they make each other better.”

Clark looked at Bruce, who stared back at him. As if they shared a brain, the two adoptive fathers stuck out their hands to shake.

“Playdates,” they said simultaneously.

Dick would be a good friend for Kory.

His eyes drifted back to the young superhero. Bruce Wayne’s ward.

Batman in training .

As long as “friend” was all he would be.

Author’s Note:

Hey!! So I know this particular prologue was long AF! I actually hadn’t intended for that last part with Clark and Bruce, but you know how those two Alpha males can be. They just shoved their way in. And while Bruce is all snarky, smirky, “I’m Batman,” all the time, this Clark has a bit of the dark brood to him as well. He’s still Truth, Justice, and the American Way, sunshiney, all-moral goodness superhero he’s always been, but he’s a girl dad and they just move differently (trust me, I know from not only my own father and stepfather, but my uncles, my guy friends, etc. I think it’s the whole remembering how they used to act and think thing that just messes them up).

Soooo because of that, expect Clark to be a bit more of how he was in the “Injustice” movie and a little less how he was in “The Adventures of Superman.” Mmmkay?

Also… I’m going to break your hearts now. Bruce and Selina were a thing. They are not anymore. Why? Because the Barbara Gordon in this story is the one from Caped Crusader. A couple of years younger than Bruce, red-haired, curvy, brown-skinned goddess! And yes, the Selina Kyle in this story is the one from Harley Quinn, bisexual, badass that she is, but she still thinks Bruce is a little too clingy for her taste, so they did break up, and now we get to watch Bruce and Barbara’s love story in the background.

But we know how much Selina loves to steal things…

But more than that! This is a DickKory endgame story/book. And the Titans will show up. And there will be superpowers and bad guys and the appearances of other superheroes from the DCU and Arrowverse (lookin’ at you Barry and Iris, Nate and Amaya, Alex and Kelly, and Sarah and Ava). But like I said earlier, I can’t guarantee you a post date/day. It’s whenever I have time. Right now, I have time on the weekends since those are my “days off”, but even that is centered around family/friends/life.

Okay, enough rambling from me! On to the next chapter!

Please don’t forget to leave kudos, bookmark, subscribe, and comment! I would really appreciate it!

-Kervia