The "Ultimate DC" RPG

[twylight]

I rolled back and forth in fits of half sleep before I finally peek my eyes open, expecting the soft morning light to meet my eyes. Instead the room was dim, turning my head I can see that the shades are drawn, and harsh bright sunlight peeks in fron the edges. Looking at my alarm clock my eyes widen as much as much as they can in my still drowsy state.
1:00 pm.

I moan and roll off the bed, landing in a crouching position, standing up I stretch before making my way downstairs. Not surprising it’s quiet, the sound of the hallway clock ticking gentle is the only noise. Mom’s probably at the floral shop, I walk into the kitchen and look at the counter, two little sticky notes on it. I look at them, both in my mothers scrawled handwriting.

Dinah-
If you see this, I’m at work.
If you wake up before 11:30 there’s an egg burrito in the refrigerator you can heat up. If you wake up after 11:30 last nights leftovers are there.

Love, Mom. I stick it back on the counter and look at the other one.


Milly’s got the office covered. Sent flowers to Mr. Bard.

I let it drop to the counter, my stomach making a gentle rumbling sound.
Well, it’s definitely after 11:30, and I should eat, head to the office and maybe see Bard, perhaps a little costume designing is in order as wel…

I jump at the sound of a ruffled paper and spin around, my legs bent and my arms in front of me.

“For a detective you aren’t very observant” Howard flips down the newly turned page of his paper.

“Oh ha ha. I just got up.” I straighten up and put my hands on my hips, tilting my head and giving him a disgusted look.

I turn and grab some cold pizza from the refrigerator. Shutting the door with my foot as I unwrap the pizza.

“What are you doing here?” I speak through my bite.


Howard drops the paper and folds it placing it on the kitchen table in front of him.
“Mom was worried about you so I volunteered to stay.”

I roll my eyes.
“Sheesh..it’s not like I’m traumatized by what happened last night.”

Howard stands up and walks to the sink rinsing his coffee cup out.
“Yeah, well, Helena’s not taking it so well.”

I spin and point at him.
“Yeah, well, Helena didn’t grow up like we did.”

Howard sighed and looked down at the sink, his strong arms on either side of it.
“Dinah...don’t start.”

I walk to the kitchen table and plop myself down on a chair.
“Start what?” I run my fingers through my short curly hair.

Howard spins around and crosses his arms leaning against the counter.
“Just because you have a meta-gene and hung out around mom and the JSA doesn’t mean you’re ‘hero immune.’ What makes you think last night didn’t effect you?”

I throw my hands out to the side, my half-eaten pizza slice in one hand.
“What are you? My therapist? I thought you were getting an architecture degree.”

He leaned forward and placed his hands on the kitchen island.
“Why don’t you like Helena? Because she’s actually made it in life with her goal? She’s successful at what she’s always wanted to be?”

“What does Helena have to do with anything?”

“She’s always wanted to be a teacher, and she is. She’s good and sucessful at it. Aren’t you just a little jealous about that?”

“Why should I be?” I give an overexagerate shrug.

“Because she made it!” He said his voice rising.

“She’s a school teacher!” I say indignantly, my voice rising as well. How did it come to this? And why does it always? Howard and I always have a reason to fight one of the reason’s Mom and Josh never leave us alone. Why did I even think it would be different? The drive home last night? His waiting at home with me while I slept?

“And you’re not a hero, so stop acting like it!”

I stand up, the chair screeching away on the floor behind me. My temper high, I clench my hands into fists.

“I gave that up a long time ago.”

Howard leans back.
“Obviously not.”

I stare at him.
“What does it matter to you anyway?”

“How blind are you?” He yells.
“It matters to Mom, don’t even think that Josh didn’t see your face when you came out of the party last night. He’s worried, I’m worried.”

“WHY?”

“Because if your haywire dream of becoming a ‘super-hero’ is suddenly ignited you’ll break mom’s heart.”

This again…everytime the same..everytime I humbly and gently reassure them, why do I have to be the one to compromise things?

“And you think because Helena reached her dreams, and both you and Josh are working on yours, that you can just preach to me about how jealous I am about it? How it’s all on me if Mom’s happy?”

“Why…does…it….have…to…be…ME?!” I scream, I can feel my vocal chord slip a little and adrenaline runs through me as I shut it down. A second to late, Howard is thrown against the opposite counter, the glass on the window over the sink shattering.

I cover my mouth with my hand, my eyes wide. I am so dead…Dinah..what did you do? Howard sinks to the floor from the impact, his face in shock.I run around to him. I’ve never done anything like this..even during my teenage angst years, it’s never slipped.

“Howard? Howard?” I feel him for broken bones and his pulse, tears in my eyes. I don’t even know what I did to him. Yes, Ted and Dad worked with me when I was little training me in how to trigger it and use it, but I’d always used it for sheer power, the little bit that leaked out was tiny, but what did it do to his ears? How mych pressuere pounded against his skull?

“Howard, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know…Howard..say something!” I felt his pulse.

It’s…..I pull my hand away and feel it again.

His pulse is steady..but slow…like…like he’s sleeping…or unconcious..but he didn’t hit his head so why…?

“Dinah?”

I look down at him, his eyes are coming into focus again.

“Dinah what the **** happened?”

I smile and hug him.
“Just give me a hug and forgive me.”


______________________________

I sigh and walk into the hospital.
For the shortness of the day it had been long, or felt long, and it was only just 4:00.

Howard and I had a short talk after the incident, with me saying I was sorry and him lecturing me on letting it go like that. The same responsibility lecture I’d grown up hearing all my life. But at least the discussion about my broken dreams was through. We’d cleaned up the glass outside before he dropped me off at the hospital while he’d gone and picked up a new window.

“Jason Bard, please?” I ask at the front desk. The nurse looks at me a little unpleasantly and tells me the room number.

I take the elevator to the floor. It only knocked him out. Am I able to have some subtle control over my cries, so that instead of damaging things it can just knock people out? What about screams that weren’t heard on the normal decibel level? Am I able to control those?

*BING*

The elevator door slides open with a jolt and I walk down the hallway to Jason’s room.
I need to go see Ted, as an unpowered former hero he’d probably have no idea what to make of it. But he’s the person I trust the most.
But this can happen after I get myself together. For all of Howard’s accusations I was still going to go ahead with my plan. Over the course of last week, I'd already assembled the beginnings of a costume. Black, of course...with fishnets. Hey, I’m my mothers daughter

I stop in front of Jason’s room number, but now it was time for me to focus on something else. I crack open the door and peek in. Jason’s sitting up in bed, the bright afternoon sunlight streaming into the room from the window, a smile on his face as he’s watching TV.

I walk in, a bag of fresh donuts I snuck in, in my hand.
“Hey tiger.”

His smile broadens.

“Hey Di!”

I smile at the nickname he’d heard Slam call me once when he’d first met me.

I perch myself on the side of his bed as he gingerly moves over to allow more room.
“No, don’t. I’m small enough.” I stop him as I set the donuts on the tray in front of him.
“I brought your favorite. And Slam says to say hi.”

“Thanks Dinah.” He says pulling one out.
“No love from Harv?”

“Well, if I told you what Harvey said to me you might hurt yourself.”

He takes a bite of the donut and rolls his eyes.
“OH, my gosh this is good.” he practically moans.

I shrug smiling.
“Hey, I try, and keep down on the theatrics. They might think I’m hindering your recuperating.”

He smiles wickedly.
“I wouldn’t mind.”

I lean forward,
“ I didn’t expect you to go this far for attention.”

He smiles.
“Who said anything about attention? I’m just waiting for a ****ty nurse to come by.”

I punch him in the arm.

“Hey! You’re ‘hindering’ my ‘recuperation’, don’t make me put you in handcuffs.”

“I’d like to see you try.” I tease.

He catches my eye.
“Me too.”

……good-bye heart….hello Jason Bard…the mouse that roared.

[twylight]

“Thanks.” I give Howard a kiss on the cheek.

“Not a problem. Just remember…don’t tell mom.” He says as he grabs the tool kit and walks to his car.

I stand there primly next to it as he closes the door.
“I am sorry Howard I didn’t..” He holds up his hand.

“Don’t. You haven’t exactly been trained so why should we expect you to control it?” He smiles.
“We’ll just call it repayment for all the times I teased you when we were little.”

He puts the car in reverse and waves.

I wave back and watch until he’s gone, before heading inside. Racing up to my room I pull a box from my closet.

Mom’s going to be home any minute but it gave me enough time to do a quick inventory.
Black leather leotard, with fishnet sleeves, fishnet stockings and a little black skirt to match. The last had been an add on, my own little twist, well, besides the fishnet arms I’d sewn onto the leotard. Had to go to a specialty Goth store for those. I wrinkle my nose at the memory, every teen in Gotham seened to be one. Goth…Gotham…I smile a little. I’m probably the last to be in on that joke.

I pull out my boots next. These I am particularly proud of. If only because I’ve had them for such a long time. Dad and Ted took me shopping for them, steel enforced, but still pliable the brushed silver clasps on the side were unscratched from lack of use.
Dad had been admitted to the hospital the day after we bought them and a week later had died.
I’d only trained in them twice after that. I put them aside and pull out a small slender box, opening it I hold up the contents. A thin domino-style mask, a copy off Moms. I hadn’t been able to actually ‘get’ Mom’s since it was in the old JSA museum in Metropolis, but I’d drawn the pattern from an old picture I’d found in the attic.
Yes, Dinah Lance, Detective, Crime-fighter and…seamstress.

I run my hand over everything. I’ve had it all for at least half a week, yet I haven’t done anything with it…why? Am I afraid?


”Dinah?”

My moms voice came followed by the shutting of the front door.

“I’m here!”
I stuff everything back into the closet, before barreling down the stairs. I’ll figure it out later…

____________________________

I drag myself up the stairs, it’s only 7:00 yet I’m so tired. I think mom slipped a few sleeping pills into the lasagna. I yawn walking into my bedroom and flip my shade up. The evening stars sparkling in the sky, I look out the window in wonder.
You don’t see that in Gotham very much. In fact, hardly at all. I smile. Must be a special night for someone. Mom used to tell me that when the stars come out in Gotham someone is in love. When I was little I ate it up, when I was a teen I figured that love was scarce considering the amount of times the stars showed in the Gotham night sky. The Angst phase, now…maybe it’s true.
I slip into some yoga pants, and take my blouse off revealing my sports bra. Stretching I limber up, before doing my nightly exercises.

50 push-ups, 100 sit –ups…and a quick jog to the restroom for teeth cleaning and a face wash.

“DINAH! Don’t run in the house.” Mom’s voice filters up from the floor below. I roll my eyes and slow my pace as I walk back to my bedroom.

I leave over the banister.
“Good night mom.”


“Night honey.”

I push myself off the banister and run into my room, leaping on my bed. The bed frame creaking in protest. I smile and burrow under the covers, flicking my night light off. Looking up at the stars I close my eyes. Maybe stars were a good sign and life was beginning to look up.
Tomorrow, a day in the office and tomorrow night a night on the town.

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

I arrive across from the Lance residence. I've already tried her office... She wasn't there. Although I did manage to drop off a copy of the file I used to combat Crane's toxin on her desk, during my time at the place...

I take out my binoculars, and survey the two story building (Which reminds me of a house built in the 50's era. Which it probably is.). Some people would consider this stalking. I consider it to be a review. If Lance is to become the third part of a makeshift insider team that I've built within the confines of certain chosen areas within Gotham City's justice system, I need to know what I'm dealing with. My buisness here tonight is the final step... The 'interview', of sorts.

The lights are out. Which I find odd, but, really... I'm an insomniac of sorts, so my opinion on the matter is biased. Some people do sleep. But in Gotham... it's very few, I admit. I watch as the older one... I'm guessing, Diana Lance... walks across the hallway, before entering another part, not viewable through the windows. Good. My intrusion tonight shouldn't affect her in any way. I'm here to see her daughter...

Sliding under some of the parked cars, across the street, I look around, before tumbling across the street, and to the side of the building. I can't use my grapnel, or seperate line. It'd cause too much noise. Looking down at my gloves, I snap all of my fingers with my thumb.

*SNKT*

Tiny, razor sharp claws pop out of the fingertips. Though they're small in size, they were built durable enough to handle scaling walls... Even mountains. But since I was never one for rock climbing... I doubt I'd use them elsewhere. Taking out a seperate pair of feet spires, I attach them to my boots, before leaping onto the wall, and beginning my climb. The minute it begins, it ends, as I crawl onto the ledge of the nearest window. Reaching up, I touch the ear on my cowl, and listen through the glass via my radio. (Amazing what money can buy, these days)

I can hear faint breathing. Not snooring, but close enough. And since I doubt, very much, that Diana Lance could've fallen fully asleep that easily, I automatically assume it's Dinah. I wait a few minutes, allowing for both of them to drift deeper into their respective slumbers. Then, I grasp at the window with my claws, and carve a circle through it as silently as possible. Reaching through the circle, I unlock the window, and pull it up, slowly, before peeking my head in.

To my right lays Dinah Lance, sleeping like a baby. I shut the window behind me, before turning to her. If I had any intention of stealing anything, This could be considered burglarly. I pause, as my mind clears. I can worry about the laws I just broke later. Right now, It's time for the 'interview'...

I walk over, as silent as a mouse, surveying her. She's built. Well, as much as a female her age could be. She could possibly serve as an ally with force, not just information. Should I need that, of course. She's also beautiful. Incognito worthy? I don't know. Hell, I'm an amatuer to that. But she could master it, with time... Provided she accept any of this.

I take a few steps back. If she's had training by Grant, I can almost be certain she'll attack me the minute I wake her up. I'd like to keep a safe distance, for the time being. Waiting a few seconds, I realise the tension is growing. It'd be better to get this over with as soon as possible. Finally, I whisper.

"It's hard to believe anyone in Gotham sleeps, nowadays. Wouldn't you agree?"

The last part was still quiet... Only loud enough to where she alone could hear me. Now, I just wait... This could go one of two ways. One, she'll be too groggy to attack. Or two... She'll kick my ass. Badly.

I rest a hand on my utility belt. This could get ugly...

[twylight]

Originally Posted by Master Bruce

(IC: Batman)

I arrive across from the Lance residence. I've already tried her office... She wasn't there. Although I did manage to drop off a copy of the file I used to combat Crane's toxin on her desk, during my time at the place...

I take out my binoculars, and survey the two story building (Which reminds me of a house built in the 50's era. Which it probably is.). Some people would consider this stalking. I consider it to be a review. If Lance is to become the third part of a makeshift insider team that I've built within the confines of certain chosen areas within Gotham City's justice system, I need to know what I'm dealing with. My buisness here tonight is the final step... The 'interview', of sorts.

The lights are out. Which I find odd, but, really... I'm an insomniac of sorts, so my opinion on the matter is biased. Some people do sleep. But in Gotham... it's very few, I admit. I watch as the older one... I'm guessing, Diana Lance... walks across the hallway, before entering another part, not viewable through the windows. Good. My intrusion tonight shouldn't affect her in any way. I'm here to see her daughter...

Sliding under some of the parked cars, across the street, I look around, before tumbling across the street, and to the side of the building. I can't use my grapnel, or seperate line. It'd cause too much noise. Looking down at my gloves, I snap all of my fingers with my thumb.

*SNKT*

Tiny, razor sharp claws pop out of the fingertips. Though they're small in size, they were built durable enough to handle scaling walls... Even mountains. But since I was never one for rock climbing... I doubt I'd use them elsewhere. Taking out a seperate pair of feet spires, I attach them to my boots, before leaping onto the wall, and beginning my climb. The minute it begins, it ends, as I crawl onto the ledge of the nearest window. Reaching up, I touch the ear on my cowl, and listen through the glass via my radio. (Amazing what money can buy, these days)

I can hear faint breathing. Not snooring, but close enough. And since I doubt, very much, that Diana Lance could've fallen fully asleep that easily, I automatically assume it's Dinah. I wait a few minutes, allowing for both of them to drift deeper into their respective slumbers. Then, I grasp at the window with my claws, and carve a circle through it as silently as possible. Reaching through the circle, I unlock the window, and pull it up, slowly, before peeking my head in.

To my right lays Dinah Lance, sleeping like a baby. I shut the window behind me, before turning to her. If I had any intention of stealing anything, This could be considered burglarly. I pause, as my mind clears. I can worry about the laws I just broke later. Right now, It's time for the 'interview'...

I walk over, as silent as a mouse, surveying her. She's built. Well, as much as a female her age could be. She could possibly serve as an ally with force, not just information. Should I need that, of course. She's also beautiful. Incognito worthy? I don't know. Hell, I'm an amatuer to that. But she could master it, with time... Provided she accept any of this.

I take a few steps back. If she's had training by Grant, I can almost be certain she'll attack me the minute I wake her up. I'd like to keep a safe distance, for the time being. Waiting a few seconds, I realise the tension is growing. It'd be better to get this over with as soon as possible. Finally, I whisper.

"It's hard to believe anyone in Gotham sleeps, nowadays. Wouldn't you agree?"

The last part was still quiet... Only loud enough to where she alone could hear me. Now, I just wait... This could go one of two ways. One, she'll be too groggy to attack. Or two... She'll kick my ass. Badly.

I rest a hand on my utility belt. This could get ugly...

".... you agree?"


I shift in bed. Who the **** is waking me up. It sounds a little bit like Howard...oh great...did he tell Mom? Are they both ganging up on me at...I peek my eye open. 12:04 at night?
I moan.

"Look..I said I was sorry" I mumble.

Sheesh..it wasn't like I'd gotten my sleeping scheduale back online....Those police officers are so going to pay.

[Batman]

Originally Posted by twylight

".... you agree?"


I shift in bed. Who the **** is waking me up. It sounds a little bit like Howard...oh great...did he tell Mom? Are they both ganging up on me at...I peek my eye open. 12:04 at night?
I moan.

"Look..I said I was sorry" I mumble.

Sheesh..it wasn't like I'd gotten my sleeping scheduale back online....Those police officers are so going to pay.

(IC: Batman)

...

I'm... not exactly sure how to respond to that. Is she even aware of who she's talking to? Because, last time I checked, that isn't nessacarily the right way to respond to an intruder in your home...

I look at her, eyes narrowed. Should I alert her of who I am? Or... should I just... play along? After all, while I do want to directly recruit her for this 'squad' I've started with Gordon and Dawes... I don't nessacarily want her to attack me either.

I decide to see what I can do, with this...

"Sometimes sorry isn't good enough.", I answer, with enough discreetness to gauge a similar reaction to the one she had just a minute ago.

[twylight]

Originally Posted by Master Bruce

(IC: Batman)

...

I'm... not exactly sure how to respond to that. Is she even aware of who she's talking to? Because, last time I checked, that isn't nessacarily the right way to respond to an intruder in your home...

I look at her, eyes narrowed. Should I alert her of who I am? Or... should I just... play along? After all, while I do want to directly recruit her for this 'squad' I've started with Gordon and Dawes... I don't nessacarily want her to attack me either.

I decide to see what I can do, with this...

"Sometimes sorry isn't good enough.", I answer, with enough discreetness to gauge a similar reaction to the one she had just a minute ago.

I pound my fist into my pillow.

"Look, I fixed the window and you weren't hurt. Okay? What else do you want me to do?"

I want to sleep...SLEEP! My eyes closed, the troubles of the world gone...why can't I just sleep? I realize I'm becoming more lucid and I struggle to fight it off. I don't want to be lucid I want to be drowsy.

I keep my head in my pillow.

"I'll go see Ted tomorrow about controlling it." I mumble, my voice coarse from sleep and muffled by my pillow.

[Batman]

Originally Posted by twylight

I pound my fist into my pillow.

"Look, I fixed the window and you weren't hurt. Okay? What else do you want me to do?"

I want to sleep...SLEEP! My eyes closed, the troubles of the world gone...why can't I just sleep? I realize I'm becoming more lucid and I struggle to fight it off. I don't want to be lucid I want to be drowsy.

I keep my head in my pillow.

"I'll go see Ted tomorrow about controlling it." I mumble, my voice coarse from sleep and muffled by my pillow.

(IC: Batman)

...Controlling it?

She mentioned Ted. Grant, I'm guessing. Unless she knows another Ted. Could she be talking about controlling a move, of some sort?

I decide this is quickly becoming a waste of time. That, and I don't know what she's talking about at all, so I've run out of vague responses. It's time to get serious. I came here with a purpose, and I'm not leaving until I've at least attempted to see it through.

"What else do I want you to do? Oh, nothing much. Except..."

I reach over, and flick to lightswitch up, lighting the room. The 'interview' is in session.



"...Wake up and realise that I'm not whoever you think I am."

[twylight]

Originally Posted by Master Bruce

(IC: Batman)

...Controlling it?

She mentioned Ted. Grant, I'm guessing. Unless she knows another Ted. Could she be talking about controlling a move, of some sort?

I decide this is quickly becoming a waste of time. That, and I don't know what she's talking about at all, so I've run out of vague responses. It's time to get serious. I came here with a purpose, and I'm not leaving until I've at least attempted to see it through.

"What else do I want you to do? Oh, nothing much. Except..."

I reach over, and flick to lightswitch up, lighting the room. The 'interview' is in session.



"...Wake up and realise that I'm not whoever you think I am."

I scream into my pillow as the light comes on.

I HATE my family and again my vocal chord shifts. I shut it off immediatly as feathers fly into the air. Great, now I have to get a new pillow and I have to do something about it, I don't know why it's slipping so easily. Turning, I roll out of bed crouching on the floor as my custom, only this time...

He's here. It's easy for me to go into an attack from a crouch.

I don't care who he is. He's in my house and while my brain says to stop, I'm not awake enough to make my body listen. I bring my foot around in an arc and throw a punch.

[Batman]

Originally Posted by twylight

I scream into my pillow as the light comes on.

I HATE my family and again my vocal chord shifts. I shut it off immediatly as feathers fly into the air. Great, now I have to get a new pillow and I have to do something about it, I don't know why it's slipping so easily. Turning, I roll out of bed crouching on the floor as my custom, only this time...

He's here. It's easy for me to go into an attack from a crouch.

I don't care who he is. He's in my house and while my brain says to stop, I'm not awake enough to make my body listen. I bring my foot around in an arc and throw a punch.

(IC: Batman)

She's attacking. Just like I assumed she would. But being a student, even a former student of Ted Grant's... you know how one would think, in a situation that requires his skills. That's what makes this much easier...

I don't even move the rest of my body. My arm lashes right out of the cape, and blocks the punch with my armored gauntlet. I immediatley grab her arm with my other. Not to hurt her... Just to make her pay attention to me.

"I know what you're thinking. Big, shadowy masked man breaks into your home. That must automatically be bad. But regardless of how the situation looks, from your end... I didn't come here to fight you. Quite the opposite."

I look at her arm, before loosening my grip and releasing it, gently.

"Now... We could waste alot of time trading senseless blows until the entire neighborhood wakes up, or... You could listen to me, even just for a moment."

[twylight]

Originally Posted by Master Bruce

(IC: Batman)

She's attacking. Just like I assumed she would. But being a student, even a former student of Ted Grant's... you know how one would think, in a situation that requires his skills. That's what makes this much easier...

I don't even move the rest of my body. My arm lashes right out of the cape, and blocks the punch with my armored gauntlet. I immediatley grab her arm with my other. Not to hurt her... Just to make her pay attention to me.

"I know what you're thinking. Big, shadowy masked man breaks into your home. That must automatically be bad. But regardless of how the situation looks, from your end... I didn't come here to fight you. Quite the opposite."

I look at her arm, before loosening my grip and releasing it, gently.

"Now... We could waste alot of time trading senseless blows until the entire neighborhood wakes up, or... You could listen to me, even just for a moment."

I retract my wrist and rub it, my weight on my right leg I face him sideways. Turning my head I scowl at him. What nerve Firstly, it's going to be creepy for anyone, even the daughter of a masked crime fighter to wake up to a man in black standing in your bright happy room. Secondly, he infuriates me. What right does he have to be in Gotham? Not to mention I was grilled for 7 straight hours about him the night before. Now he again keeps me up?

“Is this your usual practice? Some of us keep office hours you know.”

I turn all the way towards him and frown, placing my index finger on his armored chest.
“A simple ‘thank you’ will suffice, after all I did spend all night at GCPD because of you.”

[batnkevlar]

Man, my contacts are the best. I mean, my visions been deteriorating for a while, and I look better without my glasses. I mean, new school, new life, i have a chance to start fresh. I could be the big man on campus. I could do everything I couldn't do, because now I had confidence, and confidence makes all the difference.

As I walked through the front doors of Keystone High, I saw all different types of people. There were punkers, preps, jocks, chess geeks, you name it. Back in Blue Valley, everyone was bland and pale. Here, everything was vibrant.

As I walked onwards, I saw small kids with roller backpacks get chased aroudn the halls by big jocks. Dang, I thought to myself, these people are crazy!

SLAM! I was slammed against a locker by a menacing football player.

"Too bad for trespassing, freshie," said the guy. "This is the sophomore hallways."

"I'm not a freshman, actually," I stated. "I'm a sophomore. I'm new here, the name's West, Wally West."

"Yeah, yeah, Bond, I know," said the jock. He cocked back his arm to punch me when a girl stopped him.

"C'mon Headhunter, get off the kid, he's my scoop," said the girl. A big, fat kid was behind her, with a video camera.

"Dammit, Park, get the camera away," Headhunter said, throwing me away. "He's yours anyways."

Park and the cameraguy walked me down the hallway.

"Don't talk to Zolomon over there. Bad apple. His names actually Hunter, but they call him Headhunter due to what he does on the football field. He's crazy," said Park.

"Fast too," said the cameraguy. "I'm Chester."

" And I'm Linda Park," said Linda, shaking my hand.

"Hey, I'm Wally West," I said.

"Yeah, Walter West. You're the new kid. Heard about you," said Linda.

"So you gonna interview me?"

"For what? No, I was just saving your head."

"Oh."

[Batman]

Originally Posted by twylight

I retract my wrist and rub it, my weight on my right leg I face him sideways. Turning my head I scowl at him. What nerve Firstly, it's going to be creepy for anyone, even the daughter of a masked crime fighter to wake up to a man in black standing in your bright happy room. Secondly, he infuriates me. What right does he have to be in Gotham? Not to mention I was grilled for 7 straight hours about him the night before. Now he again keeps me up?

“Is this your usual practice? Some of us keep office hours you know.”

I turn all the way towards him and frown, placing my index finger on his armored chest.
“A simple ‘thank you’ will suffice, after all I did spend all night at GCPD because of you.”

(IC: Batman)

"I'm not here to discuss last night's events. However 'eventful' they may have been."

I turn the light back off. The less she sees of my figure, the better. That, and... well, the light was hurting her barely opened eyes. If I'm to get her on my side... I better not do anything to infuriate her further. Even though it seems, right now, she's at the peak of that.

"I've read up on you. You own a struggling Detective Agency within the City. Struggling because most of the cases that could be given to you are covered up by corrupt officials within the Police Department."

I don't know how I'm going to be able to ease her fury, at this point. She's pretty cranky. And given the lateness of the hour, I shouldn't have expected anything more. But I'm not about to back down until she gives the word.

"Gotham has been bound by this same corruption for far too long. It's come to the point that even the Mayor's office can't be trusted with the welfare of Gotham's citizens. Except possibly the ones payed up with the right people. The one's who dont deserve it."

I cross my arms.

"You, above all, have had to have recognised it by now. It's affecting your business. And the people you're trying to help."

I can tell I'm not really helping the situation.

"But you know that. Me telling you all of it was a basic waste of time. The real reason I came in here... Fully aware that I was breaking into your home, for which I apologise... was to offer you a chance to finally stop being forced to hang from the Police Department's leash. To actually help the people that you want to, and deserve it, without the interference of the corrupted officers."

I don't know whether I'm getting to her or not. But that's no reason to stop now.

"I'm offering you a chance to make a true difference. Possibly even the one you originally intended to make."

[twylight]

Originally Posted by Master Bruce

(IC: Batman)

"I'm not here to discuss last night's events. However 'eventful' they may have been."

I turn the light back off. The less she sees of my figure, the better. That, and... well, the light was hurting her barely opened eyes. If I'm to get her on my side... I better not do anything to infuriate her further. Even though it seems, right now, she's at the peak of that.

"I've read up on you. You own a struggling Detective Agency within the City. Struggling because most of the cases that could be given to you are covered up by corrupt officials within the Police Department."

I don't know how I'm going to be able to ease her fury, at this point. She's pretty cranky. And given the lateness of the hour, I shouldn't have expected anything more. But I'm not about to back down until she gives the word.

"Gotham has been bound by this same corruption for far too long. It's come to the point that even the Mayor's office can't be trusted with the welfare of Gotham's citizens. Except possibly the ones payed up with the right people. The one's who dont deserve it."

I cross my arms.

"You, above all, have had to have recognised it by now. It's affecting your business. And the people you're trying to help."

I can tell I'm not really helping the situation.

"But you know that. Me telling you all of it was a basic waste of time. The real reason I came in here... Fully aware that I was breaking into your home, for which I apologise... was to offer you a chance to finally stop being forced to hang from the Police Department's leash. To actually help the people that you want to, and deserve it, without the interference of the corrupted officers."

I don't know whether I'm getting to her or not. But that's no reason to stop now.

"I'm offering you a chance to make a true difference. Possibly even the one you originally intended to make."

Is he..? Oh my gosh he is!

I perch myself at the foot of my bed and watch him with boredom while he talks. He’s acting like he just discovered Gothams corruption, where has he been living all this time? Obviously not here.

I stand up at the last sentence.

“You’re ‘offering’ me?”

Okay..he get’s me out of bed, he invades my house, and even though he doesn’t know it he’s offering me, the girl that could break every bone in his body with a single breath, the girl who was trained and grew up with the JSA….he was offering me?

It’s my right, and one which I’m on a course for anyway.

“Look, buster, I don’t know who the hell you are. I don’t even know if you’re from Gotham. Or why you care. Obviously Gotham is corrupt, it’s been this way for years, and you expect me to take the lead from a Boy Scout who just discovered this?”

I throw my arms up and turn away from him.

‘You think you can just waltz right in and make a world of difference?” I look at him over my shoulder.

“If it’s help you need then just ask. Don’t make it sound like it’s going to be some glory trip for me. I’ll wager that most people in Gotham have been fighting the corruption far longer than you have. Also, for your information, I don't hang on anyones leash.”

Thinking he can judge me? The only reason I back out of cases is because of Slam, Jason and Harv. The department wouldn't do anything directly at me. However they knew my friends and could easily suspend them However it was my choice. I could have cut off all ties early in my career. But I hadn't.

Okay, Dinah tone it down…take it down.

I stare at him for a moment.
“If you’re asking for help then yes, I’ll help you. If you’re offering help then yes, I’ll take it. But I don’t like your tone, or the way you seem to take Gotham as your right. I don’t care if you are the *** **** Batman. This isn’t your town. Not till you’ve earned it.”

[Batman]

Originally Posted by twylight

Is he..? Oh my gosh he is!

I perch myself at the foot of my bed and watch him with boredom while he talks. He’s acting like he just discovered Gothams corruption, where has he been living all this time? Obviously not here.

I stand up at the last sentence.

“You’re ‘offering’ me?”

Okay..he get’s me out of bed, he invades my house, and even though he doesn’t know it he’s offering me, the girl that could break every bone in his body with a single breath, the girl who was trained and grew up with the JSA….he was offering me?

It’s my right, and one which I’m on a course for anyway.

“Look, buster, I don’t know who the hell you are. I don’t even know if you’re from Gotham. Or why you care. Obviously Gotham is corrupt, it’s been this way for years, and you expect me to take the lead from a Boy Scout who just discovered this?”

(IC: Batman)

At that point, I would've said 'It's not as if anyone else was taking a lead.', but... I figured it best not to send her on more of a tantrum. Of course, then she continued...

Originally Posted by twylight

I throw my arms up and turn away from him.

‘You think you can just waltz right in and make a world of difference?” I look at him over my shoulder.

“If it’s help you need then just ask. Don’t make it sound like it’s going to be some glory trip for me. I’ll wager that most people in Gotham have been fighting the corruption far longer than you have. Also, for your information, I don't hang on anyones leash.”

Thinking he can judge me? The only reason I back out of cases is because of Slam, Jason and Harv. The department wouldn't do anything directly at me. However they knew my friends and could easily suspend them However it was my choice. I could have cut off all ties early in my career. But I hadn't.

Okay, Dinah tone it down…take it down.

I stare at him for a moment.
“If you’re asking for help then yes, I’ll help you. If you’re offering help then yes, I’ll take it. But I don’t like your tone, or the way you seem to take Gotham as your right. I don’t care if you are the *** **** Batman. This isn’t your town. Not till you’ve earned it.”

...Which defeated the purpose.

She has a temper. It's... somewhat admireable, I have to admit. Truth be told, alot of people were too intimidated by me to try and stand up to me, or to even tell me off for trying this. Dinah Lance, however, just broke the trend.

I should be somewhat angry with her. Gotham was my town, long ago. No... Not mine. My father's. Our family's. My parent's town. To tell me that it's not my town is to tell Tutt that he wasn't heir to the Egyptian Throne.

But ...I lost it, through my years of grieve and anger after the murder of my parents. Maybe she has a point. I should earn it back. That is why I'm doing this, after all... To take back the city and to bring it to the people who rightfully deserve it, not the one's who have it now. In order to do that, I guess I still do have to earn the right to.

My face offers no emotion. I don't dignify her with a physical reaction to that. It's the only form of anger that I'm going to show her, because... As much as I hate to admit it... She's right.

"...Fair enough. Yes, help was what I was asking. I need your help. I didn't know if you were willing to give me help, considering what I do... How I dress... The abnormalness of it all..."

An eyebrow raises under the cowl as a thought comes to mind.

"...Unless you're more used to it than you let on."

Goddamn it, that isn't the point, here. She's already accepted. Now I just have to try my best to not make her change her mind. And the more I stay, I believe, the angrier she'll get. I think it's best that I leave.

I turn around.

"That doesn't matter. Either way, you were right on both accounts. I'm asking and offering help for and from you. And you've accepted. Nothing else needs to be said. Except maybe I'm sorry. For numerous things. And... One other thing."

I turn around.

"...Thank you."

[twylight]

Originally Posted by Master Bruce

(IC: Batman)

At that point, I would've said 'It's not as if anyone else was taking a lead.', but... I figured it best not to send her on more of a tantrum. Of course, then she continued...



...Which defeated the purpose.

She has a temper. It's... somewhat admireable, I have to admit. Truth be told, alot of people were too intimidated by me to try and stand up to me, or to even tell me off for trying this. Dinah Lance, however, just broke the trend.

I should be somewhat angry with her. Gotham was my town, long ago. No... Not mine. My father's. Our family's. My parent's town. To tell me that it's not my town is to tell Tutt that he wasn't heir to the Egyptian Throne.

But ...I lost it, through my years of grieve and anger after the murder of my parents. Maybe she has a point. I should earn it back. That is why I'm doing this, after all... To take back the city and to bring it to the people who rightfully deserve it, not the one's who have it now. In order to do that, I guess I still do have to earn the right to.

My face offers no emotion. I don't dignify her with a physical reaction to that. It's the only form of anger that I'm going to show her, because... As much as I hate to admit it... She's right.

"...Fair enough. Yes, help was what I was asking. I need your help. I didn't know if you were willing to give me help, considering what I do... How I dress... The abnormalness of it all..."

An eyebrow raises under the cowl as a thought comes to mind.

"...Unless you're more used to it than you let on."

I stand in shock for a moment...what did I expect? Him to throw me against a wall and scream in my face?

Umm…yeah.

Better let that one be…

“When you’re in my line of work you get used to the abnormal. I mean just this week I met a lady who sprouted plants from her mouth.”

…okay…maybe not.

Goddamn it, that isn't the point, here. She's already accepted. Now I just have to try my best to not make her change her mind. And the more I stay, I believe, the angrier she'll get. I think it's best that I leave.

I turn around.

"That doesn't matter. Either way, you were right on both accounts. I'm asking and offering help for and from you. And you've accepted. Nothing else needs to be said. Except maybe I'm sorry. For numerous things. And... One other thing."

I turn around.

Now I feel a little guilty going off on him. I know I had a lot of pent up anger over my father and my life, but did I really need to go off on the poor guy? Even though I was feeling territorial? I turn towards my bed. His last few words causing me to turn back towards him.

"...Thank you."

I smile at his back.
“No problem. But next time can you try to catch me at work instead? I’m not always the most modest at night. Unless you go for that kind of thing. Also….watch the rose trellis on the way out…”

[Batman]

Originally Posted by twylight

I stand in shock for a moment...what did I expect? Him to throw me against a wall and scream in my face?

Umm…yeah.

Better let that one be…

“When you’re in my line of work you get used to the abnormal. I mean just this week I met a lady who sprouted plants from her mouth.”

…okay…maybe not.



Now I feel a little guilty going off on him. I know I had a lot of pent up anger over my father and my life, but did I really need to go off on the poor guy? Even though I was feeling territorial? I turn towards my bed. His last few words causing me to turn back towards him.



I smile at his back.
“No problem. But next time can you try to catch me at work instead? I’m not always the most modest at night. Unless you go for that kind of thing. Also….watch the rose trellis on the way out…”

(IC: Batman)

"I'll keep it in mind."

I walk over to the window, lifting it up. I'm barely aware of what just happened, quite honestly. One minute she's yelling in my face, the next she's warning me about rose trellis. If I'm going to call on her, I better make sure to visit her first, before she goes home. Better that than revisit what just happened here.

I turn back.

"Keep on the alert for anything out there. I don't know when, exactly, I'll be calling on you. But, until that time..."

I leap out of the window, throwing a cable out in mid-air. It snags, making me swing across the street, and to another roof. After making it, I begin running the rooftops back into the inner part of the City.

I seriously need a car, now that I'm going to be visiting three people on possibly a nightly basis.

As I continue running, I think to myself about what I've accomplished, tonight. Three people. I barely know any of them, aside from the research I've done. But they're part of a minority that isn't apart of the corruption of Gotham City. I'm putting trust in all three of them... Something I'm not used to, aside from Alfred... Who I've known all of my life.

I hope to god I know what I'm doing...

[Trigger]

Hank landed on the main metal catwalk of the warehouse with a loud thud. Don swiftly followed while making hardly any noise. Below them sat Conner's Porsche. They wasted no time and simply skipped using the stairs down. Besides the expensive car, no one else was around.

Don pulled out his personal Lexcorp walkie-talkie and knelt down before speaking into it.

"Conner? Conner, do you read me?"

He paused and listened to the soft radio static. He could hear Conner pick-up and he heard him fuss at Bette before speaking.

"No, wait until we actually meet resistance before using that flash bomb! Hear you loud and clear Don. What's the situation with my baby?"

Don smiled, "She's fine. No signs of any damage. We're going to search this floor a little more. Head south of the skylight entrance and you should find the control room."

Hank wandered off into the distance and dissappeared in the darkness of the warehouse. Don hadn't realized that their was no light, save for the light creeping through cracked old windows.

"Mind turning on the lights for me?"

"Roger that, Conner out."

"Ok, Don out."

Don placed the walkie-talkie back in his pocket and stood back up. The question of Hank's current location had barely entered his mind before it was answered by a loud thud.

"Aaagh!"

"Hank!"

Don quickly sprinted into the darkness of the foreboding warehouse. He found Hank barely concious in a newly created crater. His costume was covered in clay, and his arm had been clearly injured. Anybody could see that Hank's arm shouldn't bend that way.

"W-what h-happened?"

"Don! They weren't kidding about that meta-human threat!"


Before Don could respond, a tall, slender caucasion girl appeared before him. Her blonde hair hung past her shoulders. She wore a black t-shirt and short brown pants. A pair of goggles covered her pretty blue eyes.

"No, they weren't kidding. My name's Terra and yours?"

Suddenly Don was at a lost for words.

[Watchman]

The taxi dropped John off at the police station. This was his first day on the job. He looked at his watch not even twelve and he already was given a job to do. A real heavy one to just hope that guy Johnny brings the explosions tomorrow. He walks up the stairs and and kicked open the front doors.

"Helllo Gotham!" he yelled. Every cop looked up and stared at him then went back to work. A cop walks up to him

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah I'm Corben"

"Oh John Corben follow me the commish wants to speak with you" He leds him through the detectives floor and the head for a door that says Commissioner Loeb on it. "In there" the cops says pointing to the door. He opens and walks through it.

"Hello John" says a woman behind the desk. She sits up and extends her arm. John takes and the shake. "Welcome to the GCPD"

"Thank you commissioner"

"Now John I have been going over your track record from Metropolis and I must say I am very please. Much better then our new cops Gorden and Gardner who by the way is your new partner."

"Why thank you very much"

"Although they are better cops they lack something you don't. You understand something they don't. You know what the real world is like and how one needs to cope to get by"

"Oh I understand completely I think me and Gotham are going to get along just fine"

"That's good to here here is your badge and somebody will show you where to get your gun welcome to the team Detective". John left the office and ran into another cop.

"Hello I'm James Gorden" he held out his hand and John grabbed his hand and squeezed hard.

"Nice to meet you Jimbo now could you tell me where I could find a gun"

He took back his hand and pointed to the elevator. "Go down to the basement and go where the firing range is.

"Thanks Jimbo hope to see ya soon" he left with a grin on his face.

[Batman]

(IC: Bruce Wayne)

I wake up to an alarm clock. At first, I don't think anything of it as I roll over, and slam the button down. Then I realise... Since when do I have an alarm clock? Didn't I throw that out when I started nightly patrol? I sit up, as Alfred walks in, carrying a towel on his wrist.

"I do believe the phrase is 'Rise and shine'."

I rub my forehead. Headaches are becoming somewhat of a normalcy, these days.

"Since when do I have an alarm clock, Alfred?"

"Since Bruce Wayne had a very important Nine O'Clock meeting to attend."

My eyes widen. In all of last night's events... Trying to find Harvey Dent... Getting Jim Gordon, Dinah Lance, and Rachel Dawes on my side... Searching for any possible leads to Mr. Freeze... I forgot all about my commitments to Wayne Enterprises.

I stretch, getting energy into my body as I fully wake up.

"It should be illegal to wake up this early."

"Oh, I'm sure you'd do it anyway."

I give Alfred a look before taking the towel, and walking out to the hallway. Alfred follows, as I take in a slight yawn. Having only three or four hours of sleep will do that to a person.

"Please tell me you organised my files, last night. I'm somewhat unprepared."

At that moment, Alfred points to a table in the hallway. Stacked files lay ontop of it. I look back at him.

"Sometimes I wonder what I'd do without you."

"I tend to wonder the same. Oh, and Mr. Lucius Fox called. He wants to go over some memos from last week, with you, before the meeting."

...

Okay, so I didn't have as much time as I thought. Immediatley, I start rushing to the bathroom.

"Ahem."

I stop in my tracks, as Alfred holds up some folded clothes. I walk back, and take them.

"Still wondering, Master Bruce?"

"Very funny."

[The Question]

Clark waits in the lobby of Lexcorp tower as Lois talks to the receptionist.


She isn't happy.

"You mean he's STILL not here?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry."

"Are we ever going to get to see him?"

"Today? Doesn't look that way."

"That's just great."


Lois walks out the door. Clark follows after her.

"So, what're we going to do now?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll come back tomorrow. God, normally Luthor can't wait to smile for the press."

Suddenly, Lois' cell-phone rings.

"Hold on a minute."

She answers.

"Perry? What....? Yes, we're loking into the construction site explosion. Why......you what? Perry, and I don't know if I've said this yet, but you're the best damned boss I've ever had."

Lois hangs up the phone and turns to Clark.

"Get yourself a tux, Mr. Kent. We're going to a party."

[Trigger]

"Well...?" The girl, Terra, said.

Don's mind struggled in conjunction with his mouth to form a coherent sentence. Theives were slinky, stinky guys in greasy white t-shirts. They didn't introduce themselves or politely wait for answers. He knew she was only asking him to psyche her out, but she was doing a good job. Don swallod hard and forced himself to snap out of his daze. No matter how feminine and polite she was, this girl was still a terrorist.

"W-where's Kilowat?! Do you, like, um...work for him?"

The girl smiled, "Yep, in fact me and him are quite close."

"Oh, well then...could you do your duty as a civilian and point him out to me?"

"No."

"I'm not going to ask again."

"No."

"Geez...ok, um. Put your hands behind your head!"

Don made an awkward grab for her hands. He stopped when he realized that he had no hand cuffs. She leaped back a few spots and giggled.

"What are you doing?"

"Arresting you..."

She let out a sweet laugh that, despite their current situation, didn't feel like a taunt.

"Go home."

Her eyes began to glow a piercing yellow and a chunk of the floor was launched at Don. He tried to dodge but he caught the rock squarely in his chest, and landed with a loud thud.

[Charlie No-One]

“Welcome. As you may already know, my name is Pamela Isley. Exactly one year ago, I found a new breed of flytrap known as Rycogec, or Dionaea regenis. When released into the air, the plant turns into a gas form that can give one special powers, such as highly regenerative cells and enhanced strength. To prove my theory, I have brought my first patient, Jason Woodrue,”

The sun blazed down the stage as a middle-aged man wandered to the center. His name was Jason Woodrue. One year ago, he went into a deadly coma which no one expected him to ever recover from. A year later, Jason is alive and kicking. Pam gave him a slight nod. Jason walked over to a huge tank that was off to the side of the stage. The botanist winced. What happened if Jason let her down? She would be making a fool out of herself, not only that, she would be losing money. Pamela didn’t pay him ten thousand dollars to keep quiet for nothing. After all, she was the one to put him into that coma. Just then, the tank was hovering under Woodrue. The crowd gasped. Expelling all thoughts of failure, Pamela began to talk again.

“And that my friends, is why I am planning on using Dionaea regenis for the good of the world,”

[Venom160]

Originally Posted by Venom160

{Harvey Dent}

"Oh my god."

I couldnt take my eyes of the reflection staring back at me through the mirror, the left side of my face was completely chard and my left eye was a digusting yellow. I reach out and touch the left side of my mouth, it was so tightly pull back that my teeth was exsposed.

"Oh my god. ARRRHHHHHHH!!!!!"

I punch the mirror to shards.

Dr. Samuals - "Mr. Dent please calm down."

I feel the docter's hands on my shoulders.

"Let go of me."

Dr. Samuals - "We got to get you back into your bed."

"I SAID GET THE F**K OFF ME!"

Before I could even process what was going on I see my hands grab the docter by the head and proceed to slam it repeatedly into the wall, the docter stops moving and my hands let him go.

"I got to get the hell out of here."

I keep trying to move but I can't its like my body won't listen to my mind.

<Wwho are you.>

I see my head jerk around trying to find the source of the voice and than stop as if recognizing your voice.

"Oh its just you Harvey, don't you recognize me?"

<No I don't.>

"Well don't worry about it I'll explain everything later, but right now we have to get out of here."

<But what about the docter?>

I see my head jerk down to the docter than one of my hands reach down and check his pulse.

"He'll live."

I hear the sounds of foot steps coming towards the room. I watch as the thing controlling me turn my body towards the window, opens it and stare down to the ground.

"Good we're only on the first floor."

My body crawls through the window and procedes to climb down to the ground, he doesnt stop running until we're a good ten blocks away. As my body stumbles into an alley I realise im in control of my body again and how tired I feel, I collapse onto a large pile of garbage. As I fall asleep I hear his voice in my head.

<Rest easy Harvey, we have alot of work to do tomorrow.>

OOC: Sorry I havent posted, Iv have some crap going on at home and I just plain forgot, sorry again.

IC: {Harvey Dent}

The first thing is see when I open my eyes is one of the most disgusting rats Iv ever seen, I bolt upright and look around at the alleyway im laying in.

"Hello."

"Ah your finally up."

The memories of the night before floods back to me like a tidal wave.

"Oh my god, what did I do!"

"You did what you had to do, but don't worry about that now. We have work to do."

"What do you mean?"

"We have to find the person who did this to us."

"I don't even know who the hell "you" are!!!"

"I can't believe you forgot about me, don't you remember back when you were a kid and you got picked on all the time, you had no friends but a little voice that only you could hear? Don't you remember what happened to the last bully that picked on you?"

The memory comes to me so easily, Alex Williams standing over me kicking me in the ribs, the voice in my head telling me to relax that he'll take care of it. I must of blacked out or somthing because the next thing I remember is standing over Alex holding a large rock covered in blood.

"Oh my god!"

"HAHAHA! Took care of that little brat easily, but don't you remember what happened next?

"Yes."

The non stop therapy sessions, the six months I spent in the Gotham sanitarium, my father threatning to send me to Arkham Asylum if I did'nt stop listening to the voice in my head.

"After that you shut me out completely and became a fricken book worm, but im out again and im not going back. Im going to help you destroy the person that did this to you and Gilda."

I slowly get to my feet and walk over to a dumpster and start digging around until I find a pair of pants and a ragged trench coat. As I put on the pants I notice an old plastic halloween mask, the left side was all black and the right side was all white. I pull the coat on and than grab the mask and look at it.

"It kinda fits us now, a Two-Face."

"I like the sound of that."

I put tha mask on and head out into the crowd.

[Batman]

Originally Posted by Charlie No-One

“Welcome. As you may already know, my name is Pamela Isley. Exactly one year ago, I found a new breed of flytrap known as Rycogec, or Dionaea regenis. When released into the air, the plant turns into a gas form that can give one special powers, such as highly regenerative cells and enhanced strength. To prove my theory, I have brought my first patient, Jason Woodrue,”

The sun blazed down the stage as a middle-aged man wandered to the center. His name was Jason Woodrue. One year ago, he went into a deadly coma which no one expected him to ever recover from. A year later, Jason is alive and kicking. Pam gave him a slight nod. Jason walked over to a huge tank that was off to the side of the stage. The botanist winced. What happened if Jason let her down? She would be making a fool out of herself, not only that, she would be losing money. Pamela didn’t pay him ten thousand dollars to keep quiet for nothing. After all, she was the one to put him into that coma. Just then, the tank was hovering under Woodrue. The crowd gasped. Expelling all thoughts of failure, Pamela began to talk again.

“And that my friends, is why I am planning on using Dionaea regenis for the good of the world,”

(IC: Bruce Wayne)

...Impressive, I have to say.

I sit in an audience of billionaires, scientists... People who would be willing to sponsor Pamela's research. With the right sponsor, She could make... Well... alot of money, by normal standards.

She's come a long way from girl I used to know, back in school. Before my life changed. Before... Well... Everything that I know now.

As the demonstration continues, I find myself loosing track of what's going on infront of me. It's not because I don't have very good focus... After all, I focused my entire life to a cause that some would deem impossible... But it's because my focus is elsewhere.

I'm thinking about the allieance that I've built. Jim Gordon, a police officer who saved my life once, from the Gotham City Police Department. An inside man to a corrupt office that is supposed to control the peace within the city, but has actually become part of the problem. Dinah Lance, a private investigator on her own terms. A woman who has ties to my former mentor, Ted Grant, aswell as seperate resources that Gordon cannot give me. And Rachel Dawes, the Assistant District Attorney of Gotham City. I know her the least... But her past experience and dedication to taking down the Falcone organisation, aswell as her access to the District Attorney's files and information, granted her a spot on said team.

I'm trusting in all three of these people. Perhaps more than I should. After all... They could easily turn against me and be the cause for my arrest. Considering Dawes is a prosecutor, aswell, that could give me a sentance if the three conspired against me. However... The good of Gotham is a greater cause, and I feel that they may be more focused on that than me. Once all of this is over... If it ever is over... I'll be out of their hair anyway. Because there won't be a need for a Batman.

I feel a tug at my jacket sleeve as my buisness partner, Lucius Fox, looks over at me. He leans in, and whispers.

"Do you realise how valuble of an asset this project could be to the company?"

I nod.

"Uh... Yeah. I was just thinking the same thing."

"We need to get a meeting with her. I'm sure she wouldn't object to an offer from us."

I smirk.

"I don't think that'll be much of a problem, Lucius. She's an old friend of mine, coicidentally."

Lucius raises an eyebrow.

"Wow. You DO get around..."

I nod, looking back up at the stage.

I need to stop focusing on my other job, and start on the one at hand. Maybe Pam could be the right person to aid me in that...

[Logan Howlett]

Mazak city, Krypton

Nearly 25 years ago

*****************************************


The towering city of Mazak had always been the center point of all political action on Krypton. Since the planetary refomation all of Krypton's leaders have gathered in this one city to dicuss events of the past, present, and future of their planet. Nowabove all times, political unrest had reached dangerous propotions. Kryptonians had been known as a civilized race beings that had surpassed almost all source of coruption, greed, or evil. Krypton was a utopia, a seriene presence for the entire galaxy. It was through this that the terms and rules of war had been taken under serious deliberation. The high council of Krypton had been apointed to adress the situation. You see Krypton had no central leadership, but rather a large incoruptable council of delgates from all Kryptonian nations. While there are over 250 members of the Kryptonian council, none stood so high as Jor El, head of the Kryptonian science division an d leader of a powerfull movement to abolish any form of death penalties, including in war times. Jor El had even devised a way to mass produce non-lethal weaponry on a magnificent scale, but his opposition stood strong. At the head of the other side of the debate stood General Zod, a member of the Kryptonian armed forces with a strong political standing. Zod did not want war to change in such a way, he believed that to do so would weaken the planet and its peoples, and in turn bring more relentless foes that did not share Jor El's metality. He thought that Jor El's "Quest for Peace" was naive and would only lead to the ruination of Krypton. In all thruth however, Zod loved war, he grew and thrived on it. He was a military genious and could stragise plans for any given situation. He viewed Jor El as a weak minded scientist that knew nothing of war, how could he possibly offer a constructive opinion? It was this day that the final desion was to be made, today supporters of both causes would meet to dicuss and hopefully resolve the long standing conflict. As the red sun of Krypton set in the evening sky casting a shadow over the planet, the city iluminated a technological glow. The meeting hall swarmed with political figureheads from every nation, security was at an all time high. The front of the building swarmed with press ans paparazii, while the back was reserved for the honorable delgates to enter. Now that all had arrived the meeting was in session. The grand hall echoed with voices of the council an d the audience. At that moments the balif stood and spoke,

"Silence in the hall. The Session has now begun, may we share the wisdom of those before us, and represent Truth, Justice, and the Kryptonian way."

The council took their seats and an elderly man stood before them all.

"Greeting people of Krypton, and fellow member of the high council. We have gathered today to resovle a most important military conflict. The topic id Death, and its necicity, both in times of war, and as capital punishment. The representatives for each side shall be the respected scientist Jor El, of the house of El, and in opposition General Zod, of the house of Zod, leader of the four hundred and twenty second military division. In Kryptonian tradition it is customary that the opposition speek first..........General?"

"Thank you sir. Ladies and Gentelmen of Krypton..........Today I must tell you........of the future!"