Batman believed it too—
and he hunted him relentlessly.
Damian almost got caught. Twice.
Almost Capture #1: Rooftops of Park Row
Batman's grapnel line snapped around Damian's ankle—
but Damian turned into flames for less than a second,
causing the line to pass through him.
Batman froze.
"...Meta?"
He was stunned.
Damian escaped by leaping off a 14-story building
and evaporating into heat mid-fall.
Almost Capture #2: Batgirl's Trap
Batgirl cornered him in a warehouse,
having calculated his escape routes perfectly.
"Got you."
"Almost," Damian corrected softly.
He moved with Sun Footwork—
and Batgirl's eyes widened.
She whispered:
"...That stance… That form… That's Robin's— no…"
Damian vanished in a burst of flame before she could finish.
Year 4 — The Truth Talia Buried (Age 13)
"Fire Shadow… you deserve to know."
Damian had lived alone, trained alone,
and protected Gotham from the shadows.
Talia watched from afar for months
Talia's eyes softened.
"Damian… Bruce is getting closer.
He's hunting you harder than ever."
Damian didn't look surprised.
"He almost caught me twice."
"He will catch you a third time," Talia said,
voice trembling with unspoken fear.
Damian turned, cloak shifting like burning ash.
"Let him try."
But then—in a voice so soft Talia almost missed it—
"…I won't let him get hurt doing it."