The city of Gotham was relentless. Rain pounded against the buildings, a constant rhythm that matched the pulse of the city. It had been a couple of weeks since we’d found ourselves in this strange world, and the Justice League had not let up in their pursuit. Every day was a new challenge—a new game of cat and mouse, where we were the mice and Gotham’s shadows were our only allies.

It hadn’t been easy. Every corner seemed to have eyes, every alleyway a hidden trap. The Justice League was like an ever-present storm, always one step behind us, always watching. But we were demigods—survivors, warriors—and we had learned to adapt.

“Keep moving!” Jason urged, his voice barely audible over the roar of the rain. We dashed through the narrow alley, our feet splashing through puddles as we tried to stay one step ahead of our pursuers.

“They’re closing in,” Piper warned, her eyes darting around as she searched for an escape route. Her senses were sharper than ever, a gift from Aphrodite that had proven invaluable in this world.

“Here!” Will called, pointing toward a service ladder leading up the side of a building. Without hesitation, we followed, climbing swiftly to the rooftop. The rain slicked the metal rungs, but we moved with practiced ease, hearts pounding in unison.

We reached the top and pulled ourselves onto the roof, the city sprawling out beneath us. Gotham’s skyline was a jagged silhouette against the stormy sky, the glow of streetlights casting an eerie illumination across the landscape.

“They’re still tracking us,” Nico said, his voice tense. He closed his eyes, focusing on the shadows around us. “They’re getting smarter.”

Over the past couple of weeks, we’d become adept at evasion, utilizing every trick we knew to stay hidden. But it was clear the Justice League was learning too, adapting to our strategies and pushing us to our limits.

“Percy, what do we do?” Jason asked, breathing heavily as he scanned the horizon for any sign of pursuit.

I took a moment to consider our options. We’d been running for too long, and it was time to make a decision. We couldn’t keep this up forever.

“We need a plan,” I said finally, meeting each of their gazes. “This isn’t just about hiding anymore. We need to figure out what we’re dealing with and why they’re so interested in us.”

“Maybe we should try to talk to them?” Will suggested, though the doubt in his voice was clear. “See if we can reason with them.”

Piper shook her head. “We don’t know who to trust. They’ve been chasing us relentlessly. There’s no guarantee they’ll listen.”

Nico, ever pragmatic, nodded in agreement. “But we can’t keep running indefinitely. We need to find a way to gain the upper hand.”

As we deliberated, the rain began to let up, revealing the city below in all its grim majesty. I took a deep breath, the scent of wet asphalt and distant danger filling my lungs.

“Okay,” I said, making up my mind. “We keep moving, stay ahead of them, and find a way to learn more about this world. We’ll need every advantage we can get.”

The following days were a blur of narrow escapes and strategic maneuvers. We dodged Superman’s x-ray vision, slipped past The Flash’s speed, and avoided the piercing gaze of the Martian Manhunter. The Justice League was persistent, but we were determined.

Our powers seemed to be adapting as well, growing stronger in response to the constant challenges. Jason’s control over wind had become more precise, allowing us to create decoys and misdirections. Nico’s shadows were deeper, more enveloping, giving us cover when we needed it most.

But it was exhausting. The pressure of constant pursuit weighed heavily on us all, a reminder that this world was not our own and its protectors saw us as a threat.

“Percy,” Piper said one evening as we camped out on yet another rooftop, “we can’t keep this up forever. We need to find a solution.”

I nodded, knowing she was right. The city stretched out below us, a labyrinth of steel and shadows. Somewhere in that expanse was the answer we needed.

As night fell, the rain returned, a steady drizzle that masked our presence. We huddled under makeshift shelters, sharing what little warmth we could.

“Maybe it’s time to take a risk,” I suggested, staring into the darkness. “Find someone who might listen.”

The idea had been forming in the back of my mind, a desperate gamble that could either save us or lead to our downfall.

“Who would we even talk to?” Jason asked, his skepticism clear.

“Someone not directly involved with the Justice League,” I replied. “Maybe a lesser-known vigilante, someone who might see things differently.”

Nico looked thoughtful. “It’s risky. But it might be our best shot.”

Piper nodded in agreement. “We just have to find the right person.”

A few days later, the opportunity presented itself. We were perched atop yet another building, the city below a sea of lights and shadows. The air was crisp and cold, the sky clear for once, offering a brief respite from the ever-present rain.

It was then that I noticed the figure—a shadow among shadows, moving with practiced ease across the rooftops. I watched, intrigued, as the figure approached, clearly aware of our presence.

“Whoever it is, they’re good,” Jason whispered, his hand instinctively moving toward his weapon.

“Wait,” I said, raising a hand to stop him. “Let’s see what they want.”

The figure stopped a few meters away, shrouded in darkness. There was a moment of tense silence before the stranger spoke.

“Not many people can evade the Justice League for this long,” the figure said, his voice young yet confident. “I’ve been watching you. You’re not from around here, are you?”

I exchanged a glance with Piper, then stepped forward. “Who are you?”

The figure hesitated before stepping into the dim light cast by a nearby neon sign. A boy, maybe a few years younger than us, wearing a dark red and green costume, a black cape, and a mask over his eyes.

“Call me Robin,” he said, a hint of a smile in his voice. “And I think we might have more in common than you realize.”

Robin. I had heard the name in passing during our time in this world—a vigilante who operated in the shadows, much like Batman but with a different approach. His reputation was one of skill and intelligence, a protector of Gotham in his own right.

“What do you want?” Nico asked, his eyes narrowing.

“I want to know why you’re here,” Robin replied, his tone curious rather than accusatory. “And why the League is so intent on finding you.”

I took a deep breath, considering my words carefully. This could be the chance we’d been waiting for—a chance to make an ally rather than another adversary.

“We’re not here to cause trouble,” I began, choosing my words with caution. “We’re just trying to understand this place and why we ended up here.”

Robin nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “I figured as much. You don’t move like criminals or fugitives. More like... survivors.”

Piper stepped forward, her eyes studying Robin with interest. “Can we trust you?”

The young vigilante shrugged, an easy confidence in his demeanor. “Depends on what you mean by trust. But I can offer information, maybe even help you figure out why the League is after you.”

I felt a flicker of hope—a chance to finally get some answers. “And why would you help us?”

Robin’s expression grew serious. “Because there’s something about you guys that doesn’t add up. And I want to know the truth as much as you do.”

The rain began to fall again, a gentle patter that echoed across the rooftop. For a moment, it was just us and the city—a tenuous alliance forged in the uncertainty of our shared secrets.

“All right,” I said, meeting Robin’s gaze with determination. “Let’s talk.”

And just like that, a new chapter of our adventure began—a step toward understanding, toward finding our place in this world of legends and shadows.