One Universe: Season III IC Thread

[Keyser Soze]

Dr. Jeremiah Arkham was not a bad man. He was not evil, he was not corrupt. He was an honest man, perhaps even a good man. Or at least, he tried to be. He tried to see the very best in everybody, even the very worst elements of society. He believed that nobody was beyond redemption, beyond rehabiliation. In a perfect world, this would be admirable. But in Gotham City, a man like that could be called naive. He might even be called a fool.

But Dr. Arkham was willing to be called a fool, and worse, if it meant doing what he believed to be the right thing. And it was that unwavering belief that he was doing the right thing that steeled him as he stepped out onto the podium for the press conference he had been called to speak in front of.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Dr. Jeremiah Arkham. I run Arkham Asylum, for the criminally insane. I understand that the whole city is reeling after what has happened to Mr. Dent. It shocked me too. But it is in light of Mr. Maroni's actions that I am here today. I have spent hours in crisis talks with the Mayor and his council, and I have won them over to my way of thinking, as I hope to now do with you."

There was already a sinking feeling amongst the associated members of the press.

"Mr. Maroni's wild, violent actions were not what one would call the actions of a man of sound mind. In fact, I have proposed these actions are characteristic of a total mental breakdown. Consequently, I feel that prison is the worst possible environment for Mr. Maroni's mental well-being. Furthermore, I would suggest that it is unwise to leave Mr. Maroni in the custody of Gotham's police force, who I do not believe can be trusted to remain objective given the current situation."

Shouts of protest were already emerging from the crowd, but Arkham resolutely continued.

"As a result, the criminal charges brought against Mr. Maroni - and the prison sentence he had agreed to serve in exchange for his cooperation - have, by the authority of the Mayor's office, been rendered null and void. Mr. Maroni will instead be consigned to my care in Arkham, where I hope to ensure he is given the treatment he needs, rehabiliated, and eventually released as a productive, psychologically-healthy member of society. Thank you, no questions."

Dr. Arkham stepped down from the podium and walked offstage, ignoring the torrents of angry questions and outright abuse pointed in his direction. It was this kind of mob mentality, so he thought, that made it too dangerous for Maroni to be apprehended anywhere other than Arkham.

He thought about how this was the right thing to do, even if nobody else agreed. He didn't think about how, with one day's work, he had left the months-long combined efforts of Jim Gordon, Harvey Dent and Batman in tatters.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

"So, me and the rookie-"

I shoot Bullock a look from across my desk. He fidgets with his tie and coughs.

"I mean, Detective Montoya and myself. We interviewed all of Wuertz's friends and family. None of them have seen them, and I believe 'em. I mean, I doubt his ex-wife of all people would know where he's hiding."

I nod and look out the window at the overcast sky.

"Okay. I want you and Montoya to round up as many of Maroni and Falcone's men that you can fit in the hot boxes downstairs. Someone knows where he is."

"And, what about this devil that perp was talking about...ya think it's old pointy-ears himself?"

"Only time will tell, Sergeant."

I watch in silence as Bullock leaves the office. My cell phone starts to vibrate as soon as he's shut the door.

Incoming Call: Unknown

"This is Gordon."

"Jim. Fill me in."

"I had a feeling it was you. I can't tell you much. Right now, we're doing out best to track down Wuertz. My best bet is that someone from either Maroni, or Falcone's organization is hiding him...might even be Falcone himself. That's not all, we've gotten a report yesterday about a bookie who was assaulted by a masked man. Kept calling him 'El Diablo' Now, Harvey told me he and Daredevil were friends. I believe he's the one out there right now, trying to track down Wuertz before we do. I don't know if you two talk or whatever, but let him know that I'd like to find Dective Wuertz myself...without help from either one of you."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Foggy, just calm down." I hold my cellphone to my head as I pace back and forth in my hotel room.

"Li....listen to me...you can handle that case by yourself....I have faith in you...fine, if you don't think you can do it, then just move to suspend the trial until I'm able to get back....no, I don't know when I'll be back...because, Harvey is my friend...yes, I'd do the same for you if someone did that to you..."

I tune out Foggy, and instead listen to the t.v. two doors down from my room.

"Mr. Maroni's wild, violent actions were not what one would call the actions of a man of sound mind. In fact, I have proposed these actions are characteristic of a total mental breakdown. Consequently, I feel that prison is the worst possible environment for Mr. Maroni's mental well-being. Furthermore, I would suggest that it is unwise to leave Mr. Maroni in the custody of Gotham's police force, who I do not believe can be trusted to remain objective given the current situation."

Shouts of protest were already emerging from the crowd, but Arkham resolutely continued.

"As a result, the criminal charges brought against Mr. Maroni - and the prison sentence he had agreed to serve in exchange for his cooperation - have, by the authority of the Mayor's office, been rendered null and void. Mr. Maroni will instead be consigned to my care in Arkham, where I hope to ensure he is given the treatment he needs, rehabilitated, and eventually released as a productive, psychologically-healthy member of society. Thank you, no questions."


"Foggy, I'm going to have to call you back. Good luck with the case."

I hang up and walk towards my hotel room window.

I can feel the sun just starting to set. Tonight, I'll visit Arkham Asylum, but before I do...I'll make one stop.

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

Ever since the incident with Dent, Carmine Falcone had trouble getting to sleep. And every time he nodded off, horrible nightmares about scarred DA's, hell-bent cops, and bat-monsters made him toss and turn his elegant, silk sheets.

He had finally managed to nod off a when a strong voice filled his massive bedroom.

"Carmine Falcone."

The mobster sprung up, too terrified to turn on the light.

"You don't sound like the batman."

"The Batman? Hahaha. Don't waste my time. I am no bat, nor am I a man."

"You think you're tough, huh? Too scared to come out of the dark and face me like a real man?! You're all punks. I still own this city!"

"Then why is your heart beating twice as fast as normal, why is sweat running down your face, why are you wetting your pajama bottoms?"

"Who...what are you?!"


​

"I'm a creature that you and the rest of the criminals have created. I live to protect the people you beat, rob, and murder.... and I'm here to return the favor."

Falcone yelps as I leap on top of him.
​

 

[wiegeabo]

"I had a feeling it was you. I can't tell you much. Right now, we're doing out best to track down Wuertz. My best bet is that someone from either Maroni, or Falcone's organization is hiding him...might even be Falcone himself. That's not all, we've gotten a report yesterday about a bookie who was assaulted by a masked man. Kept calling him 'El Diablo' Now, Harvey told me he and Daredevil were friends. I believe he's the one out there right now, trying to track down Wuertz before we do. I don't know if you two talk or whatever, but let him know that I'd like to find Dective Wuertz myself...without help from either one of you."

I continue to put on my costume as I listen. "Jim, you have the public exposure of police corruption like the GCPD's never seen before. The city's District Attorney hero, who promised to finally make them safe, has been critically injured. And the man, the police officer, assigned to the case made that happen. Do you really expect the public to sit back and let the Department hunt down one of its own?"

I slip my cowl on, then snap my belt closed. "Right now, they think all of you are just as corrupt as Wuertz. Protests are a guarantee, and you'll be lucky if their isn't a riot. And when your men try to put the riot down, it will just make things worse. The sooner Wuertz is brought in, the better. And if that means Daredevil and I have to search for him, then that's what we'll do."

Alfred rushes down the stairs and I mute the line, half listening to Gordon's response. "Sir!"

"Where's Robin?"

"Sir, you need to see this." He punches a few commands into the computer, bringing up news footage. But it's not of Gotham, it's of New York.

"-inuing standoff at Yankees Stadium. The criminal terrorist known as the Joker has just taken nearly thrity thousand attendees to tonight's concert hostage, threatening to kill them all if Gotham's vigilante known as the Batman does not show himself. Once again, we bring you footage transmitted from the camera filiming the live event.

Joker!

My blood boils as I watch the footage. Joker joins the band on stage, the audience obviously thinking it's a part of the show. Until he kills the lead singer.

My gloves creek as I squeeze my fists tightly.

The Joker makes his sick demands and the footage abrutly ends with the worried screaming and confusion of the audience.

I unmute the phone line. "You may have just gotten one of your wishes Jim, the Joker is threatening to kill thousands in New York if I don't show up within the next few hours..."

 

[Byrd Man]

I unmute the phone line. "You may have just gotten one of your wishes Jim, the Joker is threatening to kill thousands in New York if I don't show up within the next few hours..."

"If you need police backup, call Captain Stacy in New York, him and I go back."

I hear Batman hang up. I hang up my phone and look out my office window.

"Jim." Sarah says as she opens the door. I turn around and look at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Carmine Falcone's family reported him missing this morning."

"What? Have they found him yet? Who's on the case?"

"Davies and Crowe took it. But, here comes the good part."

"I'm all ears, Sarah."

Sarah smiles slightly.

"They found him a few minutes ago. Tied to the top of the Kane Building in nothing but his underwear."

I want to laugh, I really want to. But I know who did it, and I need to tell him quite simply to back off this case. But I have a feeling that if I follow Daredevil, he can lead me to Wuertz. I shrug my shoulders and grab my coat. What the hell, I've been working with one pointed headed masked vigilante, what does it hurt to do the same with another one?

"Sarah...come with me."

"Were are we going?"

"When was the last time you were on a stake-out?"

​

 

[Green Lantern]

I continue to put on my costume as I listen. "Jim, you have the public exposure of police corruption like the GCPD's never seen before. The city's District Attorney hero, who promised to finally make them safe, has been critically injured. And the man, the police officer, assigned to the case made that happen. Do you really expect the public to sit back and let the Department hunt down one of its own?"

I slip my cowl on, then snap my belt closed. "Right now, they think all of you are just as corrupt as Wuertz. Protests are a guarantee, and you'll be lucky if their isn't a riot. And when your men try to put the riot down, it will just make things worse. The sooner Wuertz is brought in, the better. And if that means Daredevil and I have to search for him, then that's what we'll do."

Alfred rushes down the stairs and I mute the line, half listening to Gordon's response. "Sir!"

"Where's Robin?"

"Sir, you need to see this." He punches a few commands into the computer, bringing up news footage. But it's not of Gotham, it's of New York.

"-inuing standoff at Yankees Stadium. The criminal terrorist known as the Joker has just taken nearly thrity thousand attendees to tonight's concert hostage, threatening to kill them all if Gotham's vigilante known as the Batman does not show himself. Once again, we bring you footage transmitted from the camera filiming the live event.

Joker!

My blood boils as I watch the footage. Joker joins the band on stage, the audience obviously thinking it's a part of the show. Until he kills the lead singer.

My gloves creek as I squeeze my fists tightly.

The Joker makes his sick demands and the footage abrutly ends with the worried screaming and confusion of the audience.

I unmute the phone line. "You may have just gotten one of your wishes Jim, the Joker is threatening to kill thousands in New York if I don't show up within the next few hours..."

Robin smiles from the darkness. He had been practicing his ability to silently observe. It gave him satisfaction that Bruce hadn't noticed him in the shadows.

"Right here, Batman. Lets go mash up a clown, huh?"

 

[Mercy]

Poison History
V
Changes

"What are you!?"
"The first and last mutant you'll ever meet" Emma then ran off, for the last time. But I guess you're still wondering how I know all this stuff about her, like her name and where she comes from. Well, she had placed her diary next to my purse, on the front of it, it read:
"We have the same dreams"

​

Liz eventually found me, lying in the woods, she ripped off the vines and helped me up, I clutched Emma's diary. Liz looked at it, she slowly took it out of my hands, I felt numb. Liz then slid it into my purse, what a great friend she was. Then, I couldn't remember the rest.

I've wrote many pages in my Diary and this is one of my last pages, I don't need to write in this anymore, so I guess this would be the last time I write in this diary.

***

Dear Diary,
it's been a year since I last wrote in this, it's been a year since, since....
This is what happened. All of the following acts take place in this year.

The day I met Emma, I knew my life would change. That day, I felt better when I had gotten home, Liz had come with me. I reluctantly had packed my stuff and thrown it into the hallway. Liz made sure I was all okay before she left. It was still sunlight, but that didn't stop what happened next. I can't believe I'm writing this. Me and my mum were chatting about tomorrow, then we got a call, the flight had been canceled. An hour later, Liz had come back, she had left her purse. Me and her had a little chat, whilst my mum was in the kitchen.

Then, a the door burst open, a crowd of men in black SWAT suits burst in, holding guns, red beams pointed at me and Liz. My mum rushed into the kitchen, a red beam then held to her head as well. The men shouted for us to get down on the ground, they split up and searched the house, emptying my suitcase and bringing my Sister downstairs. I was scared out of my life. One of the men grabbed me and held a gun to my head.

"EMMA FROST, STAY WHERE YOU ARE!"
"I'm not Emma Frost! I'm Pamela Isley"
"Please, let my child go!" The last words my mother spoke.
BLAM


My sister, Katy ran over to my mother, I felt a hole cut inside my chest. I felt so sick, I fainted.

By the time I woke up, I was in a gray cell, with Liz. Liz hugged me when I woke up. The big silver door slowly opened, a woman in a smart black suit with a smart black skirt stood in the doorway. She had blonde hair tied back and a gun in her hand. Her name tag read Valerie Cooper.
I couldn't control myself, I lunged out, I punched Valerie, I was going in for a kick when Liz held me back.
"You're lucky I'm one of the good agents here" Valerie said, checking if she had a nose bleed, she smacked the gun on my arm and pointed it to my back.
"Follow"

As we walked down the corridors and through the doors, I asked questions.
"Katy, where is Katy?"
"Katy Isley? Well the last I heard, she was transferred" Valerie snaps
"Transferred?" I deny what my ears heard.
"She was moved, orders of Mr Isley, your father, he wanted her to be with him, but he said not to let you or your friend go"
"Why am I here? Why is my dad doing this?"
"You're a mutant Pamela and so is Liz, well that's what your father tells us, we have to do tests to be positive, but I guess you passed that, someone's here to see you...."
Valerie didn't answer my last question, I was shoved into a dark room with a table and a man in a wheelchair.
"Pamela, Liz, I'm Charles Xavier"

***

Dear Diary,
It's been a year since Emma Frost killed Liz Allan. It's been six months since I killed Emma's mother. It's been six months since I found out I wasn't a mutant, it's been a year since I last heard from my family. It's been three weeks since I met Batgirl. And it's been three weeks since I last became half plant.
Now, today, I've kidnapped Vicki Vale and Selina Kyle, what's next?
​

 

[Keyser Soze]

Tiiing, thap.
Tiiing, thap.
Tiiing, thap.

Heads up. Heads down. Heads up. Heads down. Both sides identical, the outcome is always the same. Can't escape it. No law, no justice. Only cruel, random fate.

"Harvey... the doctors say you're refusing anaesthetic, and skin grafts."

Gilda's been trying to talk to me for some time now. I've not said a word to her. Just lay in bed staring straight ahead, only my right side facing her. The left side kept in shadow. Evidently she's run out of small-talk, and is finally getting to the point.

"Why aren't you letting them help you?"

Because I don't want to be numb, and stupid, and content. I've lived under a haze for long enough. I want to feel this pain, all the time. I want something primal and honest and real in my life! And skin grafts? Why would I want skin grafts? After all these years of covering up the real me, now he's out for the whole world to see. And he's ugly.

"Harvey, say something, please!"

Gilda grabs onto my hand, and kneels down by my side. I can hear the tears in her voice. All she wants is for me to take her in my arms, and tell her everything will be okay. But it won't. It won't be okay. It will never be okay again.

"Harvey!"

Finally, without looking at her, I speak my first words of this visit.

"Go home, Gilda."

The voice... it's not my own. It's hoarse, ragged, like I'm chewing dirt from the grave. It's the way a monster would speak. Maybe it is my voice. Maybe the one I've been using all this time is the front. Whatever the case, I think it's the voice that finally prompts Gilda to get up, and slowly back away out of the room.

Good. She should go home. I want Gilda to be safe and happy, or at least as happy as it's possible to be in this screwed-up, bankrupt world. And the only way for that to happen is for her to stay as far away from me as possible.

Tiiing-thap.
Tiiing-thap.
Tiiing-thap.

I catch my father's coin in my hand, let it rotate around between my fingers. Both sides the same. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I try to be good...

"Bad boys don't do good things."

 

[Byrd Man]

Falcone is clean, dangiling a man eighty stories above the pavement by his underwear will make him talkno matter how tough he is.

It's the middle of the night when I slip into the window of Harvey's hospital room.

His heart beat is still steady, that's a good sign. But the smell, my god the smell. It's been almost three days since Maroni scared him, and yet the smell of burnt flesh and acid still lingers.

Along with the sound of the heartbeat, I hear a steady noise. The sound of him flipping a coin.

"Harvey. You're awake."
​

 

[Keyser Soze]

Falcone is clean, dangiling a man eighty stories above the pavement by his underwear will make him talkno matter how tough he is.

It's the middle of the night when I slip into the window of Harvey's hospital room.

His heart beat is still steady, that's a good sign. But the smell, my god the smell. It's been almost three days since Maroni scared him, and yet the smell of burnt flesh and acid still lingers.

Along with the sound of the heartbeat, I hear a steady noise. The sound of him flipping a coin.

"Harvey. You're awake."
​

I keep flipping the coin, unphased by Daredevil's arrival.

"Hello, Matt. I was sorry you couldn't make my big day in court."

 

[Byrd Man]

I keep flipping the coin, unphased by Daredevil's arrival.

"Hello, Matt. I was sorry you couldn't make my big day in court."

"...I...I'm sorry. I should have been there. I could have stopped it."

I crouch down on the windowsill and wait for Harvey to speak....he remains silent as he flips his coin.

"Where's Gilda?"

 

[Keyser Soze]

"...I...I'm sorry. I should have been there. I could have stopped it."

I crouch down on the windowsill and wait for Harvey to speak....he remains silent as he flips his coin.

"Where's Gilda?"

Ignoring Matt's question, I ask one of my own.

"Remember what I told you, that night in my office? The night you... unmasked?"

I remember it, clear as day. Me, all pathetic and desperate, thinking that was the lowest I could fall. And the words I spoke ring crystal clear in my head, word-perfect, is if on that night I was uttering a prophecy that had just been fulfilled.

"I'm broken, and I can't fix it. It doesn't matter what I do, how hard I try... I'll always be damaged goods."

I let out a snort of derision.

"Damaged goods..."

I finally turn away from the shadow, and look right at Daredevil. Now the real me, the ugly me, is out in the light. And for some reason, I find myself wishing Matt wasn't blind, so he could see it. I want him to see what this city has done to me. What the justice system we've both dedicated our lives to has done to me.

"Now the whole world can see what I really am."

 

[Byrd Man]

"Now the whole world can see what I really am."

"You don't mean it. There's still hope. You can file an injunction, Maroni can still stand trial."

I swallow hard as I move closer to Harvey's side.

"What Maroni did to you didn't ruin your life. You're stronger than that..remember what you told me about your father. How he just gave up on life. Do you want to be like him?"

 

[Keyser Soze]

"You don't mean it. There's still hope. You can file an injunction, Maroni can still stand trial."

I swallow hard as I move closer to Harvey's side.

"What Maroni did to you didn't ruin your life. You're stronger than that..remember what you told me about your father. How he just gave up on life. Do you want to be like him?"

"I AM LIKE HIM! I'M HIM! I ALWAYS WAS!"

I've lunged bolt upright in bed, screaming wildly, slabber trailing uninhibited out of the remains of the left side of my mouth.

"Injunctions. Don't talk to me about injunctions. Guy is caught red-handed, sawing a corpse to pieces, minutes after he's recorded killing said corpse. He admits this and a whole lot of other crimes. Then, in front of a room full of witnesses, including cops and a federal judge, he tries to kill me. All this, and he still blags his way out of jaul-time. And you want to talk to me about f***ing injunctions!? There is no justice! Not in the... sham we've built around ourselves, this crippled system of law and order. My ass."

I slump back down onto the bed. I go to clutch my hands against my face, and I remember my situation too late. Fresh waves of pain burn all through my nervous system.

"And I'm the worst one of all. Because I promised these people I could make a difference. I promised them I would rid them of the Falcones and Maronis, all of them, once and for all. But I never can. I'm a failure, I'm a fraud. I'm..."

I recall my father's words, 25 years ago.

"I'm a two-face."

 

[Byrd Man]

"And I'm the worst one of all. Because I promised these people I could make a difference. I promised them I would rid them of the Falcones and Maronis, all of them, once and for all. But I never can. I'm a failure, I'm a fraud. I'm..."

I recall my father's words, 25 years ago.

"I'm a two-face."

I turn my back on my friend. My body pointed towards his window.

"If that's how you really feel, then you've lost. Maroni and Falcone have won. They've shown this city that those who try to stand up, will be knocked down. They've beaten you."

 

[Keyser Soze]

I turn my back on my friend. My body pointed towards his window.

"If that's how you really feel, then you've lost. Maroni and Falcone have won. They've shown this city that those who try to stand up, will be knocked down. They've beaten you."

I watch as my friend turns his back, and I know even he has given up on me. There's nobody I can depend on, except for myself.

"I'm not beaten yet."

When I speak, it's in a voice laced with venom and malicious intent.

"The system may be broken, but I'm not. Whatever it takes, I'm going to keep my promise to all the people out there. I owe them that much, at least."

 

[Byrd Man]

I watch as my friend turns his back, and I know even he has given up on me. There's nobody I can depend on, except for myself.

"I'm not beaten yet."

When I speak, it's in a voice laced with venom and malicious intent.

"The system may be broken, but I'm not. Whatever it takes, I'm going to keep my promise to all the people out there. I owe them that much, at least."

I arch my eyebrow and turn back to my old friend.

"What are you talking about exactly?"

 

[wiegeabo]

After navigating a few of the corridors, Superman had made his way to the main room, where Jay and Steve stood closeby discussing about his message to any and all Leaguers...



"Don't doubt yourself, Jay. I'm sure that everyone will show up. Give them time. Not everyone's as fast as we are..." the Man of Steel announced as he walked towards his colleagues, and seeing Stark not there only confirmed what he was told through his device...

I smile, but it's not much of one. "I should have known you'd be the first to arrive, Superman." I shake Superman's hand. Steve does the same.

"It's good to see you son."

"We've have some important issues to discuss, so I can only hope everyone else get's here as quickly." We stand there in uncomfortable silence for a few moments. I decide to pass the time. It's better than just standing here.

"How have you been?"

 

[Blacklight]

I smile, but it's not much of one. "I should have known you'd be the first to arrive, Superman." I shake Superman's hand. Steve does the same.

"It's good to see you son."

"We've have some important issues to discuss, so I can only hope everyone else get's here as quickly." We stand there in uncomfortable silence for a few moments. I decide to pass the time. It's better than just standing here.

"How have you been?"

"I've been doing great. Got to spend time with the family, take some time off. It felt really good..."

Superman then thought about how good it's been since he's been visiting Smallville. No villains, no out of control trains, no giant planet-devouring aliens... Nope. Just him, Ma, Pa, and Kara.

His family...

"Anyways, how's life on your end, Jay?

 

[Keyser Soze]

I arch my eyebrow and turn back to my old friend.

"What are you talking about exactly?"

"What do you care? Or is the masked vigilante going to lecture me about doing things through the proper channels?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"What do you care? Or is the masked vigilante going to lecture me about doing things through the proper channels?"

"I just don't want you or Gilda to be harmed. I know this is going to sound ironic coming from me, but I don't want you to do anything stupid."

 

[Keyser Soze]

"I just don't want you or Gilda to be harmed. I know this is going to sound ironic coming from me, but I don't want you to do anything stupid."

"Oh! Thank you for the sage advice, Matt! I'd have been at a loose end if you hadn't come all the way over here from New York just to gloat about how I can't do what you do!"

I sit upright in the bed again, glaring angrily at Daredevil. Don't do anything stupid. You smug prick. I know exactly what's going through his mind, exactly how low I am in his estimations.

"You always did think you were better than me, didn't you? And all through our life, all through our friendship, you always had to just rub it in my face by outdoing me at every turn. I get a job at the DA's office, you go off and start your own firm. I put together a high-profile case against the mob, you pull on tights and start fighting crime in a colorful costume. I move to Gotham City, and now you're here too. Just not when I needed you, it would seem."

Matt starts to protest, but I cut him off.

"And now you're here.... for what? To tell me to... brush myself off and carry on the good fight? I know exactly what you're saying, Matt. I... I read between your brail lines. You're saying... aw come on, a little scarring ain't so bad. I got blinded, and I went on to become a superhero! You're just a quitter, you need to be this great, awesome guy like me! Well, no, I'm sorry...Daredevil. We're not all fortunate enough to get injuries that give us superpowers."

I never knew that I harboured such anger and resentment towards Matt. But I guess it's all coming up to the surface now, along with the rest of the ugliness.

"But that's just it with you, isn't it? You're a lucky guy! It's easy to be so high-and-mighty when you have it so easy. I... I wish I was lucky enough to have a father like you had, Matt. I wish I had this great... dead father. A hero I could put up on a pedestal and swear to do right by. God, I wish I had that! But I'm not lucky like you. My father didn't die. He lived on, and my hero rotted away and turned into a monster, and the bastard still won't die!"

I feel my voice breaking, and I struggle to hold it back. I don't want to cry in front of him. I don't want him to see any weakness. I've shown him enough of it over the years.

"You know what? Just leave! You saw me, now leave me be. GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"

 

[Byrd Man]

I feel my voice breaking, and I struggle to hold it back. I don't want to cry in front of him. I don't want him to see any weakness. I've shown him enough of it over the years.

"You know what? Just leave! You saw me, now leave me be. GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"

I feel a lump in my throat start to rise. I quickly swallow it away and turn away from my friend.

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

I leap out the window and into the city. Leaving Harvey behind.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I feel a lump in my throat start to rise. I quickly swallow it away and turn away from my friend.

"I'm sorry you feel that way."

I leap out the window and into the city. Leaving Harvey behind.

Was I right to lash out at Matt like that? In spite of everything, he's my friend. It's too late, now. The words have been said, can't take them back. And it's best if I don't have any friends. Anyone gets close to me, I only drag them down.

It's just me, now. Me and that bad little boy who got locked away in the cellar, who got all twisted up and corrupted in the dark, the real me out in the open at last. Me and Two-Face.

Tiiiing-thap.
Tiiiing-thap.
Tiiiing-thap.

 

[wiegeabo]

We skid to a stop in front of the school, and I hop off and kiss the ground, "Mein Got, you drive like a maniac, Logan."

I take a deep breath and savor the fresh air, happy to be out of the dingy smog that is Gotham, "It is nice to be home though, isn't it?"

"Heh. I just call it havin' a good time." Kurt gives me a withering look before heading off for the Mansion. I chuckle and light up a cigar as I push my bike into it's place in the garage.

I walk past all the other vehicles to the main door and type in my entrance code. I'm certain you are not considering bringing that into the mansion, Logan.

I roll my eyes, biting down on my stogie a bit. I remember your rule, Chuck. But I'd think you'd let me bend it just this once after pulling off what we just did.

I take one last long drag on my cigar before putting it out on my hand. This is why I only smoke the expensive stuff on special occasions. I open the door, and Chuck's waiting for me behind it.

"I congradulate you and your team's efforts in Gotham. Bringing Cobblepot to justice has stopped all slave activity in the city." We walk through the mansion. Well, I walk, and Charles obviously rolls beside me.

"Yeah, hurray for us. We cleaned up Gotham. But we didn't stop anything. They'll just move their operations to another city. Along with all the other places the bastards are already shipping mutants through."

"True. But you took an important first step. Word of what happened in Gotham is already spreading. The city and it's superheroes taking a stand against mutant slaving is making news everywhere. I've already sensed a growing movement in favor of mutant rights. Star City has already declared a war on the slave trade, with Oliver Queen donating millions to their efforts."

"Queen? I thought he was a womanizing rich boy."

"And what was your former opinion of Bruce Wayne?"

"...point taken. So what's been going on here. I was away a lot longer than I expected."

"Surprisingly, it's been relatively quiet. Only minor disturbances by the occasionl disruptive mutant. Valuable training experiences, but nothing too dangerous...."

"Good to hear. These kids are still pretty soft. They need something to toughen them up." I keep walking before I realize that Chuck's not following me anymore. He has his hand on his forehead, which I've come to recognize as the symbol that ****'s about to go down.

Chuck's eyes grow wide. "Logan, quickly. The television!" We rush into one of the rec rooms, the television already on with students lined up around it, murmuring to each other. I clear a hole for me and Chuck to see what's going on.

"-many of you know, is Magneto, the Master of Magnetism."

Just ****ing great. Shoulda kept my mouth shut about something to toughen up the kids.

"I come to you tonight not to give you a message, but to deliver a declaration of war. In three days time I will unleash an army of mutant warriors on every major US City, from New York to Los Angeles to punish you for the treatment of our kind. And I dare your so called heroes to try and stop us. We shall strike with a fury this world has never witnessed!"
"Logan."

"I know, Chuck. I'm on my way."

"And your team?"

I smile as I rush out the door. "Already got one in mind..."