---
"The things that make me different are the things that make me."
– Piglet (Winnie the Pooh)
---
<(Omniscient POV)>
"Hey, Ace. Maybe Cortana wasn't entirely wrong. Maybe we're in over our heads this time. I mean, we're literally just a house cat and a pet dog. I don't think we were ever meant to be out here fighting crime or running investigations in the wild without our people around. Also, you're a German Shepherd—violence is bred into your bloodline. I, on the other hand, am a Somali cat. Nature designed me to eat, nap, play, and look elegant, not wander through dangerous streets trying to capture potential werewolves. You should've dragged along one of my more violent cousins instead for that—maybe a Siamese, Sphynx, Scottish Fold, or a Bengal cat. They're built for action much more than I am."
Whiskers let out a low hiss of frustration as she fixed her gaze on the closed-down school where the wild creature had been last spotted while brushing away bits of mud and leaves clinging stubbornly to her fur after hours of hiding in the undergrowth, her orange tail flicking in clear irritation.
"First off, use my codename, Bat Hound, when we're on a mission, Midnight Whiskers. Second, it's not a werewolf. Cortana said it might be some oversized wild animal—witnesses claimed it looked like either a weasel or a sloth. Odds are, it's a magical creature from another dimension, or maybe the product of some lunatic's experiment. Whatever it is, it could be in danger—or worse, it could be dangerous to others.
As members of the newly formed Bat-Family, it's our responsibility to ensure no one gets hurt because of this thing's existence. And we're going to do whatever it takes to see that through. Now, I get that you're irritated by all the dirt and mud we've had to slog through, but I promise you—once this mission is done, you'll see that it all was worth it." Ace's tone was firm, his eyes never leaving the school ahead. The bat mask concealed the upper half of his face, and his short cape rustled faintly as he gripped it tight, keeping it from whipping in the night air.
[{(Image from Discord)}]
"Do NOT call me Midnight Whiskers. I told you already—it's Feline Fury now, Captain Ball Biter. And honestly, I don't even get why we're bothering with these superhero names in the first place. It's not like anyone's actually fooled. Do you seriously think humans are dumb enough to believe we're superheroes just because we're running around in masks and capes?" Whiskers tilted her head in mock innocence, then pawed at her mask, the rough material scratching against her soft fur. Her so-called cape clung around her shoulders more like a stylish sweater than anything fit for battle.
[{(Image from Discord)}]
"…It's all about PR," Ace muttered, repeating the only excuse that came to mind—one he'd heard Bruce repeat countless times over the years. It was the same reasoning Bruce always leaned on to justify his obsession with everything Bat-themed. "Hold on… I see a couple of kids heading to the playground in front of the school. Looks like they're just here to play—none of them even looks older than ten."
Ace's ears twitched as the two animals watched the children wander about, calling out as if searching for something. "Wait… don't tell me they know—His eyes widened in sudden realization as the world's ugliest, most grotesquely oversized weasel lumbered into sight, shambling toward the children with the same eager energy as an overexcited puppy rushing to greet its owner after a long day away.
"...That is one... terrifying weasel," Whiskers muttered, her gaze locked on the creature's frothing mouth and unfocused, cross-eyed stare as it bumbled after the children's ball, trying to play catch with the kids. However, each attempt at play only turned into another clumsy chase.
Ace gave a slow nod at her words, a small scanner sliding out from his collar and shifting into something like a monocle. Lines of data flickered across its lens—curated, organized, and translated in a way that was easy to understand by the enhanced dog.
"Alright, I've got a clear read now," Ace said at last. "The AI algorithm, after taking in all the readings, including its heat, sound, and spectral readings, concluded that this… weasel is definitely a mutation, maybe a failed experiment of some local mad scientist. But by the looks of it, it's harmless—at least when it comes to human kids. Judging from the data, they've been playing with it for days."
"Perfect. That means we're finished here, right? So, what are we waiting for? Let's head back to Gotham. I've earned myself a proper treat after this nightmare—maybe a pedi-manicure from Selina, or perhaps a deep fur cleansing, and a full-body massage. I deserve it after everything I've been through today." Whiskers purred, already pivoting to head for the flying pod they'd arrived in.
"Sigh. I liked you better when you were just a kitten." Ace pressed a paw to stop her, nodding toward the weasel still tumbling about with the children. "Threat or not, we can't just leave it here. If we walk away now, sooner or later someone will panic—and I doubt humans will let something this big and... unattractive roam free. I mean, they don't even tolerate talking dogs and cats. You remember what happened the last time we opened our mouths in front of that Gotham priest, don't you?"
"...Yeah, I do. I don't think I've ever seen so many people carrying pitchforks in my life. Gotham almost turned into Salem that night." Whiskers shuddered, a nervous gulp catching in her throat as the memory replayed in her mind.
"Exactly. Which is why, as superpets, it's on us to save that weasel from itself and make sure it finds someplace safe to live—somewhere it can actually stay without fear," Ace said, his voice steady. But his ears perked a moment later, and his eyes narrowed. "Wait… where did they go?" He looked around in panic, finding it hard to believe that he had lost sight of both the kids and the weasel while he was monologing.
"They went inside the school," Whiskers replied, raising one of her small paws to point at the entrance. "One of the doors was unlocked, and they just strolled right in without a second thought. Those kids have the survival instincts of a rock."
"I see. Then we go in. We'll get the kids out first and bring the weasel back to Gotham. Bruce can figure out a proper conservation center for it later," Ace ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"And what about that old man watching the kids earlier? He looked terrified of the weasel—and if I had to bet, being an old-school American, the first thing he'll do is grab the biggest gun he can find and blast the thing to pieces," Whiskers warned, pointing a paw toward an elderly man, who was already hurrying away with fear etched across his face. It was a look that screamed he had just seen a monster straight out of a horror film, and yet within that fear, there was also a determination to help the innocent children by slaying the monster. It was something that would have been very commendable in any other case, but was utterly stupid in this one.
"...Alright, change of plans. You take care of him—knock him out and keep watch outside. I'll handle the kids and the weasel." With that, Ace slipped through the open door into the school without waiting for her reply.
Whiskers, too, didn't waste time. As a cat, catching up to the fleeing man was effortless, and neutralizing him was even easier. With a quick burst from the non-lethal sonic blaster built into her collar, the old man crumpled to the ground. "Sorry, old-timer, but you look a little too trigger-happy for your own good. Best you take a long nap and stay out of this mess," she meowed before taking a seat on the chest of the unconscious man to keep a watch on the surroundings.
However, Ace, on the other hand, was running into complications inside. None of the classrooms or the cafeteria showed any sign of the children. Worse, being unfamiliar with the layout, he was searching blind. But instincts were on his side—he was a dog, after all, and sound and scent were his weapons as sharp as any. So, when the acrid stench of burning reached his nose and faint, muffled cries of children hit his ears, he put it together quickly. The kids weren't lost—they were trapped. And the source was clear: the basement.
When Ace reached the basement, he found the heavy door sealed tight from the inside. From behind it came the panicked cries of children, their voices straining as heat and smoke spread through the enclosed space. His ears flattened against his skull.
"How in the hell did they manage to start a fire and lock themselves in at the same time? These kids seriously need a fire safety lecture," he growled under his breath. His gaze swept the hall in irritation. "And what kind of school leaves its doors unlocked on a holiday, lets kids wander into the basement, and even keeps it stocked with flammable junk without the slightest hint of safety precautions?"
With a frustrated huff, Ace activated the sonic blaster built into his collar. The blast roared at full force, splintering the basement door into shards and clearing his path to the children.
As the shattered door gave way, Ace's eyes immediately caught sight of the anxious weasel inside. Despite its frantic movements, it was doing everything it could to shield the children—pushing them away from the flames, steadying the weaker ones who could barely breathe, and dragging them back from the thick smoke. Large patches of its fur and skin had already been scorched, yet it seemed to ignore its own pain entirely, its sole focus fixed on protecting its tiny companions.
"It's much smarter than it lets on," Ace muttered as he felt a growing respect for the weasel. Being a dog, he inherently valued loyalty, and the Weasel was nothing but loyal to its people. Its drive to save and rescue those children was worthy of the highest respect he had to offer. Ace's ears twitched as he quickly shifted gears and powered up the freeze ray built into his collar. "Let's hope this has enough juice to put the whole fire out," he whispered, steadying his aim.
A moment later, a piercing blue beam burst forth, coating the basement in a wave of frost. In seconds, the flames hissed and died, leaving only a brittle layer of ice clinging to the walls and floor.
"Khnkkkk?" The weasel chirped, tilting its head toward Ace. Its shrill, curious tone almost sounded like a question, as if demanding to know who this masked dog was.
"Don't worry, I'm a friend—and I'm here to help. The name's Ball… eh, I mean Bat-Hound," Ace answered proudly, straightening into a heroic stance as he spoke in the universal tongue of animals. But even as he did, he realized with surprise that he couldn't make sense of the weasel's speech the way he could with other animals.
"Huh? A superhero dog?" one of the girls who had blacked out whispered weakly, her eyes fluttering open. She gave a faint smile at the sight of Ace's cape and mask before slipping back into unconsciousness once again.
"... She called me a superhero! Damn, I wish Midnight Whiskers were here to hear that," Ace muttered, tail wagging despite himself.
***
"K'tchoo Hm? Is someone talking about me? I swear, if Ace is calling me Midnight Whiskers again…" Whiskers muttered to herself, pausing mid-lick as she cleaned her paw.
Her ears twitched when she caught the faint sound of movement behind her. Without hesitation, her collar's sonic blaster discharged another non-lethal burst, dropping the old man back into unconsciousness just as he began to stir.
"Sorry, grandpa. Nap time isn't over yet," she sighed, going back to grooming as if nothing had happened.
---
(A/N: I sincerely apologize to all of you for not posting anything over the past two weeks. I know I've been inactive, and I truly appreciate your patience. I was dealing with an urgent personal matter—specifically, arranging the loan for my MBA—which turned out to be far more time-consuming and stressful than I had expected. Turns out getting a good score and clearing interviews was the easy part; securing a loan with a manageable interest rate has been the real challenge.
That said, I am truly sorry for the sudden silence and the delay in updates. Thank you all for your understanding and continued support. I have managed to secure the money I needed from the bank, so I should be able to focus on updates again.)
GIVE me POWAH-STONES💎💎💎.
You can join my Discord channel using the link below:
https://discord.gg/WYVfYe2KNS
Also, you can check out my Patreøn page to read ahead or to support your fantastic author:
patreon.com/God_Doom
Right now, I have about 12chapters in advance there.
(My Patreon uses the new billing method, which means if you pledge on the 15th of this month, you will have to pay again on the day you pledged, i.e., the 15th of the next month. So, whenever you subscribe, you will get a whole month.)