One Universe: Season IV IC Thread

[Byrd Man]

​

Previously:
Created by GCPD Police Commissioner Jim Gordon, the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) was designed to investigate the criminal empire of former District Attorney Harvey Dent (Two-Face). The nine member squad, led by Captain Sarah Essen and Lieutenant Michael Akins, investigates the drug and racketeering aspects of Two-Face's organization. Two-Face's top lieutenants, Parker Robbins (The Hood), Peter Tillman (Skinny Pete), and Johnny LaMonica (Black Spider) continue to operate the empire while dealing with the police nipping at their heels. At city hall, Mayor Hamilton Hill tries to turn a blind eye to Two-Face's activities, claiming the organization's actions are leading to a decrees in the overall crime rate. While Hill fights off low approval ratings, Deputy Mayor Arnold Krohl and Councilman David Kane, secretly plot to take the mayor's seat in the upcoming election year. With ambitions dancing in his head, Police Colonel Arnold Flass secretly meets with Robbins and provides him with all the details of the investigation into their organization. The wiretaps on Two-Face's people go dead and the MCU has now hit a brick wall in the case, unable to move forward.

*******

"So we're ****ed?" Charlie Fields asks. Inside the MCU squadroom, all the computers with the wiretaps read: PHONE DISABLED

"We're not ****ed," Marcus Driver replies.

"Driver is right. We're not ****ed," Sergeant Bullock says with a sneer. "We're royally ****ed."

Along with the three men, Captain Essen is also in the room.

"Everything is going to be fine," she says in a calm voice. "When a door closes, a window opens."

"Great advice, Cap," Bullock says after taking a drag off his cigar. "You sound like a regular goddamn Dalia Lama.'

"We need to get the rest of the squad in here," Essen says as she turns towards her office. "The wiretaps are down, so we're starting on the money side of things. Time to use the marked bills."

*******

On the golf course of the Gotham Country Club, Mayor Hamilton Hill prepares to tee off with Deputy Commissioner Joshua Grogan and Colonel Arnold Flass at his side.

"So, I take it I will no longer have to worry about Gordon's investigation into the little problem in the Narrows?" Hill asks, taking practice swings with his driver.

"No, sir," Grogan replies emphatically. "Colonel Flass here, the head of our Criminal Investigations Division, took care of it. How exactly was that, Arnold?"

"Well, I-"

"Don't tell me," Hill says bluntly. "The less I know, the better. The same goes for you, Josh. If Gordon finds out, we can expect Colonel Flass to fall on his sword, right?"

"Yes, sir," Flass says with a grin.

"You two boys just make sure Gordon plays ball and I'll make it worth your time."

Pulling back, Hill strikes the ball with his club.

THWOK!

The white ball arches and hooks into the rough.

*******

"We have a problem," Chin Lau says to his client, Parker Robbins. The two men walk through Robinson Park, conducting their business in plain sight.

"What is it?" Robbins asks his money launderer.

"Your banks in Gotham are beginning to question the amounts of cash I bring in."

"So? Take some of that money and convince them to take your money."

"It is not that simple. The amount of cash I bring in is slowly catching the attention of the US government. As much as I'd like to, I cannot bribe everyone involved."

"So what are our options?"

"I can fly the cash to Hong Kong. The banks there will not question me or my money. They'll launderer it and I can return it back to you here in Gotham within five business days."

"I don't trust that. Any number of things can go wrong on the flight to China and back."

"I can charter a jet to take me to and from Hong Kong. I won't have to worry about Customs checking my bags, and can have the actual cash loaded into the cabin so I can keep an eye on it at all times."

"When's the soonest we can move the money out of the country?"

"Next week sometime. After that, we can have it all planned. Every week, I fly back to China with the money, and the week after that you get the clean cash."

"Do it, then. Just off the top of you head, Lau, how much of my money do you have in your possession?"

"Twenty-five million, four hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred and seventeen dollars, and seventy-six cents."

"Make sure that's how much comes back."

"If there's one thing I am, Mister Robbins, it's good with calculations. Your money will be safe, I promise you this."

"Speaking of that...I need a favor."

"Yes?"

Robbins stops and glances around, making sure there are no eavesdroppers in range.

"From every laundering trip you make, I want you to funnel anywhere from 1-5% into an account in my name."

"Planning on making a nest egg, sir?"

"Just do it, Lau."

"As you wish."

*******
​

"Slightly irradiated bills," Captain Essen says to the eight officers assembled in the squad room.

"How irradiated?" Officer Cole asks. "Like, we won't have to wear lead aprons to keep from being sterilized?"

"Don't worry about that, Cole," Detective Crispus Allen says. "If you got sterilized, the world would be doing us all a favor."

"Hardy-har, ********."

"No, the bills aren't radiated enough to prevent any kind of damage," Essen says. "But they provide a marking that won't be detectable unless they have geiger counters."

"Well, the Iphone may have a new app," Driver says with a chuckle.

"When are we going to start this?" Sergeant Maggie Sawyer asks.

"We start tomorrow. Officers Cole, Driver, and Fields will work the corners in the Narrows, making as many buys as possible with the marked bills. Meanwhile, Detective Montoya and Sergeant Bullock will make buys on the East End. By the end of the week, we'll have all ten grand turned over to Two-Face's people. Then, we'll find out where they're laundering their money."

Essen turns towards the stack of marked bills.

"Everyone report to the squadroom at 0900. Tomorrow we take the fight to them."
​

​

 

[wiegeabo]

"Barbara..."

This looks like the end for me. Tied up in the warehouse with my ex-wife, the Joker has finally won. Both Barbara and I will be blown sky high by Joker's bombs. My life starts to flash before my eyes.

Four years old, scraping my knee after falling off my bike.

Graduating high school.

Meeting Barbara in Chicago.

Joining the force.

Being transferred to Gotham after standing up to corruption.

Barbara and Jim's births.


Meeting Batman

Being named Commissioner.

Harvey's scarring at Maroni's hands.

A whole lifetime, summed up a few seconds. I'm not ready to go.

"Barbara, can you hear me?"

I struggle with the rope holding me down. Batman's coming, I know that much. But I can't count on him getting here in time.

Come on, Jim. Time's wasting, get the hell out of here!
​

With what little energy James Gordon has left, he tries to struggle against his bonds. But they're just too strong, and too well tied. Knowing that time is almost out, he prepares to say goodbye to his wife. But then he feels the ground shaking. It's only a subtle vibration at first, but it grows more noticeable.

One of the wall implodes, sending shrapnel and debris flying into the building. And for a moment, Jim thinks it's finally the end-

-until the batmobile comes to a screeching halt.

The canopy opens and Robin and I leap out. "Get her!" I shout as I run towards Jim. I pull out a knife and start going to work on the ropes. "Jim. Jim, are you with me? Where are your kids?" I keep my eyes scanning the area for the Joker or his men. "Where's the Joker?"

 

[Byrd Man]

The canopy opens and Robin and I leap out. "Get her!" I shout as I run towards Jim. I pull out a knife and start going to work on the ropes. "Jim. Jim, are you with me? Where are your kids?" I keep my eyes scanning the area for the Joker or his men. "Where's the Joker?"

"He...he ran," I say breathlessly. "The kids are safe at home...I-I think."

I cough hard and deep. A bit of phlegm flies out. I'd kill for a cigarette.

"We..we have to get out of here. The whole place is wired to blow."

 

[wiegeabo]

"He...he ran," I say breathlessly. "The kids are safe at home...I-I think."

I cough hard and deep. A bit of phlegm flies out. I'd kill for a cigarette.

"We..we have to get out of here. The whole place is wired to blow."

Just great.

"Robin!"

"Got her!"

"Get her in the car and go."

Robin looks at me for a second, confused. "...but."

"GO!" I sling Jim over my shoulder in a fireman's carry and start running. Robin and Barbara have to make it. I'll sacrifice myself to save them if need be. And I know Jim feels the same. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.

I push my legs as hard as I can. By the time I run past the batmobile, they're already burning. Joker's little funhouse trials took more out of me than I realized. Halfway to the wall and the batmobile goes tearing past us and out of the warehouse.

"Just...another...second..."

My lungs and legs burn, and Jim's starting to feel like a ton of bricks. But I've never let my body dictate terms to me before, and I'll be damned if I'll let it do so now.

We finally clear the wall, but I can stop running. There's no telling how much explosive the Joker used. Knowing him, it's overkill. Robin skids the batmobile to a stop. We're almost there.

And the warehouse explodes.

 

[Red_Robin77]

Just great.

"Robin!"

"Got her!"

"Get her in the car and go."

Robin looks at me for a second, confused. "...but."

"GO!"

I nodded grudgingly and picked up Gordon's wife, running towards the Batmobile. Explosions. Bad. Bruce risking his life. Bad. This was bad. It didn't take long to reach the Batmobile, but the true test was if I'd be able to get her in, and get them to a safe distance, plus make sure Bruce got out too. I wasn't exactly going to leave him. But Mrs Gordon was the priority.

"Here we go!" said, more to himself than to Barbara, trying to stay positive.

I leaped into the front, and closed up the canopy, my hands tight around the steering wheel. I'd seen Bruce do this a million times, but still. I turned on the engine, feeling the power flow through the car, and I hit pedal, skidding off across the warehouse.

At first the car skidded all over the place, out of control, but I tugged at the wheel, left and right to try and keep it in a straight line. I saw Bruce and the Commissioner struggling onwards towards the way out, the car flying on past them. No need to get distracted. Need to get her to safety. I kept my eyes on the hole in the wall in front and passed through it, barely missing the side of the hole. I drove on a little further, to be sure, before pulling on the handbrake and skidding around. Should be safe.

I opened up the canopy and jumped out, looking towards the warehouse, where I could see Bruce and Gordon nearly through. I ran in their direction, anything to give a hand, when he saw the beginning of an explosion erupt from the building. It collapsed in flames and debris, glowing in the cold night, and I stumbled back in surprise. Bruce couldn't be dead. He'd survived worst than this. But I couldn't help thinking back to the death of my parents. Before that, they couldn't have died either. But they did. I ran over towards the remains, trying to remain calm, looking for anything that could show they were alive, just hoping for something.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Thor moved forward, Mjolnir raised overhead.

"Give me the boy and surrender yourself, or you shall feel the burden of my hammer on your skull!"

Orm looks at Thor, taking in what he receives as an empty thread, and laughs at the Thunder God's face.

"Hahahaha. Are you new to this game, hero? You are dumber than you look, and much dumber than my half-brother. Do you really think I would face you two, and tremble at your threats? Greatness has been promised to me, so long as I keep the boy in my clutches. Although..."

With the wave of his staff, suddenly in the water which was previously hidden like a mirage appears a casket dug 1 foot into the seafloor.

"If you wish to claim the boy for yourself, and condemn my half-brother to his inevitable doom I applaud you."

Love can make a man do crazy things. It has made Aquaman do crazy things, such as face off against an entire kingdom of Fire Trolls with King Namor to save his Queen, and love is what makes Thor now do a crazy thing. Taking the Ocean Master's bait, the Thunder God hurries over to the casket several feet away, not noticing the magical runes places around said casket.

As Thor is now standing above the runes, before he can swing his might hammer, and break the child free from a watery grave, the Orm's spell activates. Energy seems to surge around Thor, and the very electricity which empowers him and is wielded by none other than his hand, are sapped away.

"And now, Thunder God...you too are about to meet your doom."

Activating another spell, the runes from the seafloor that lay underneath Thor rises up, and shoot over to the Ocean Master. Circling around him as he cites an incantation, the power they sapped from Thor now becomes his. Surging with electrical energy, and power of a Norse God, the Ocean Master marvels at his new power.

"NOW YOU SHALL FACE, THE WRATH OF THE OCEAN MASTER!!"

Flying at Thor, Orm strikes.

Meanwhile, Aquaman struggles to stand up finally, and the runes disappear. He thinks it is because Orm's focus on the spell had subsided, but he could not have been more wrong. As he is about to spring forward and assist Thor in battling his newly empowered half-brother, hands spring from the seafloor, grabbing hold of him and pinning him. Bodies of the thought to be dead start to rise, and start to call out his name.

Aquaman turns his head, horrified by one of the zombified corpses of his old general.

"Rodunn....no."

 

[Carnage27]

A car alarm outside my bedroom window rouses me from a horrible night of sleep. Then again, I don't know how anyone could sleep after going through what I did last night. Seeing thousands of people lying in the street, dead, is enough to shake even the strongest of men, let alone an eighteen year old high schooler.

I put my feet on the floor, and feel numb as I shuffle about the room, getting clothes out of drawers, preparing for a shower. As I do so, I kick a webbed up item across the floor. I pick it up and open it, revealing Ironman's helmet and faceplate. Another grisly reminder of the horrors of the night before. I stuff it under my bed, hoping to put my troubles with it.

Before exiting my room, I here my phone nearly vibrate off my desk. Picking it up, I see I have one lone voicemail from Babs. I listen to it, and tears and sobbing are the first thing I hear, "How could you? How could you just leave? It's over, Peter. It's over."

I sigh and toss the phone back to my bed. It's not completely unexpected, but after Stanford I'm basically numb to all pain. It barely registers in my emotional core, and I open my door and head to the bathroom.

"Peter? Is that you? I didn't realize you were home, dear," Aunt May says, coming up the stairs and almost bumping into me.

"Yea, I got home late, Aunt May," I give her a half-hearted smile. "I didn't want to wake you. I...me and Babs broke up."

"Oh, Peter, I'm sorry. I know how much you liked her," she replies, giving me a big hug. I know it sounds lame, but a hug from Aunt May always makes me feel better, but it doesn't even make a dent in what I'm feeling.

"Thanks," I smile at her again. I know she can tell I'm feeling down still, but obviously she has no idea as to the true reason. "I'm going to take a shower."

*******

"Five minutes until you're on, Mr. Osborne," Norman Osborne's assistant says, entering his office with a smile.

"Thank you," he smiles back with crooked delight. The incident in Stanford last night gave Norman an idea. An idea on how to help rid himself of Spider-man. He had no love for Lex Luthor, but at this time an alliance with his rival could benefit both of them, and Norman wasn't about to let anything that could further his goals slip from between his fingers.

He makes his way out of his office and through the halls of Oscorp, and into a press conference he set up earlier in the morning. His top advisers and the board of directors greet him as he enters, and he briskly makes his way to the stage. Flash bulbs go off, and the TV cameras start rolling as he begins, "Good afternoon, everyone. I've called this press conference today to extend an offer of service to the United States of America. As most of you undoubtedly know, last night our country suffered a great tragedy, as thousands of American lives were lost in Stanford, Connecticut due to those who call themselves our 'protectors'."

He looks at the cameras sternly and continues, "The Justice League of America failed to save countless innocents, and instead of driving the aggressor out of the city, took an arrogant risk and battled their foe inside the city limits, inducing an explosion that robbed men, women, and children of their lives. I am here today to reach out to President Luthor, someone who has long been a rival, to tell him that my company, and all it's resources are at his disposal. Our country needs safe, and effective ways of dealing with the metahuman presence, and OsCorp is here to provide that. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and I hope you have a wonderful day."

*******

I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling, not knowing what to do. The thought of putting on my suite makes me sick, and I honestly have no idea what to do with myself. I think of a hundred people who I could call, but the thought of hanging out and trying to have fun with friends leaves a guilty feeling inside.

Those people in Stanford won't get to see their friends again. They won't get to go to the movies, or to a ball game, or to prom. Their families will mourn them, will never get to see them again. And why? Because we couldn't get a stupid robot out of the city.

My phone rings next to me, and I take a peak at who's calling.

Gwen.

I think back to Stanford, and the body I collapsed next to. It looked almost exactly like her, and it broke me. It was the thing that sent me over the edge. I've known I care about her deeply for a while now, but I didn't realize until last night just how much I do.

I flip the phone open, "Hey."

"Hey, Pete. How's Gotham?" the bubbly voice asks on the other end.

"Actually, I'm home. Things...well, things didn't go to well."

"Oh," her mood changes instantly. "Do you want to get together and talk about it?"

"Yea...I'd like that."
​

 

[Byrd Man]

I opened up the canopy and jumped out, looking towards the warehouse, where I could see Bruce and Gordon nearly through. I ran in their direction, anything to give a hand, when he saw the beginning of an explosion erupt from the building. It collapsed in flames and debris, glowing in the cold night, and I stumbled back in surprise. Bruce couldn't be dead. He'd survived worst than this. But I couldn't help thinking back to the death of my parents. Before that, they couldn't have died either. But they did. I ran over towards the remains, trying to remain calm, looking for anything that could show they were alive, just hoping for something.

My head feels like a taxi cab has run it over, it sounds like I have cotton in my ears, and my glasses are cracked.....but I'm alive.

"B-..Batman!" I yell out, coughing a spot of blood. I begin to crawl through the rubble, pushing debris aside. I see a pair of green boots crunching through the rubble.

"Robin! Where's Batman?"

 

[wiegeabo]

Gimmie your wallet!

Ok...ok. Let's just stay calm. Here, take it.

And...and her pearls. Give me those too.

Fine. I'll just...take them off...

Hurry up!

I'm trying...

Now!!!

BANG

Screams and the thud of a limp body.

BANG

Pearls hit the ground and roll. Shouts of confusion from the street. Footsteps running off down the alley.


BOOM


My eyes snap open. God, I hate being knocked out. It's always the same.

I try to move, and my body yells at me. I ignore the pain as usual, analyzing the damage instead. Cracked ribs...no, that one is broken. Head is pounding from a probable concussion, albeit a light one. Hand feels numb. Probably landed badly and shocked a nerve.

I'm still alive. But...

"Ji-" I cough, clearing what feels like sawdust from my lungs. "Jim." I take another breath and try again, lifting my head to look around. "Jim! Robin! Are you alright?!"

 

[Optikal]

​

MoonKnight checked his watch. 0200 hours. No useful intel as of yet, his shoulder ached, and worse still, it had started to rain. And not a light rain either. It was really coming down, fat and fast. Entire sheets of the stuff, so much so, it began to interfere with his vision.

He drew his cloak around him tightly, and tried to stay focused on the mission. It had been a few hours and there had been no discussion whatsoever of business. He was beginning to think that he had been wasting his time when a familiar voice spoke up.

Nice night, it said. And as if on cue, thunder cracked, and a whip of lightening ripped across the sky illuminating the whole world for the briefest of moments.

"Go away."

Now, now. Is that any way to talk to a god? And your own personal savior at that?

"You already got what you wanted."


And now I want to give you something.

"I don't need anything. I'm just watching them. Listening. It's surveillance. I need to concentrate. I don't want to miss anything."

So…?

"So…there won't be any blood."

Hm. That's what you think.

"What?" Moon Knight stood up and looked around. "What did you say?" But, there was no answer.

There was no one there.

Nothing but shadows, and rain.

He looked skyward. It was dark and cloudy. There was no moonlight. He thought back to the days when it gave him strength, the moon. He realized that he had come to depend on it, that extra burst of strength and speed. His eyes narrowed on his fist as he opened and closed it. No. Nothing. Not an ounce of 'extra.' Then, he caught a whiff of something foul. Something he hadn't smelled in a long time. Death magic. It wafted in from the east and the reek of it cut through the crisp smell of rain like a hot knife through butter, growing more potent with every passing moment. The stench of incense and decaying flesh.

Peering into the darkness his mind searched frantically for the source. And seemingly right before his very eyes the shadows that had surrounded him had come to life, morphing into slender, man shaped figures.

Lots of them.

Steel glinted in the moonlight as a gust of wind caught his cape, snapping it back. Another chill worked its way down his spine, as he realized who they were.

The Hand.

 

[Red_Robin77]

My head feels like a taxi cab has run it over, it sounds like I have cotton in my ears, and my glasses are cracked.....but I'm alive.

"B-..Batman!" I yell out, coughing a spot of blood. I begin to crawl through the rubble, pushing debris aside. I see a pair of green boots crunching through the rubble.

"Robin! Where's Batman?"

I heard the familiar voice of the Commissioner and see the man pulling himself out of the debris. I ran over to him, and helped him up from out of the rubble.

"I dunno, I haven't found him yet..." I told Gordon quickly, panick starting to break into my voice.

I carried on searching through the debris again for Bruce. I have to find him.

Gimmie your wallet!

Ok...ok. Let's just stay calm. Here, take it.

And...and her pearls. Give me those too.

Fine. I'll just...take them off...

Hurry up!

I'm trying...

Now!!!

BANG

Screams and the thud of a limp body.

BANG

Pearls hit the ground and roll. Shouts of confusion from the street. Footsteps running off down the alley.


BOOM


My eyes snap open. God, I hate being knocked out. It's always the same.

I try to move, and my body yells at me. I ignore the pain as usual, analyzing the damage instead. Cracked ribs...no, that one is broken. Head is pounding from a probable concussion, albeit a light one. Hand feels numb. Probably landed badly and shocked a nerve.

I'm still alive. But...

"Ji-" I cough, clearing what feels like sawdust from my lungs. "Jim." I take another breath and try again, lifting my head to look around. "Jim! Robin! Are you alright?!"

As soon as I heard him, I ran over to wherever the voice came from, looking around desperatedly. I caught sight of the grey of Bruce's costume and bounded over to it, digging away at the pieces. I carried on throwing the debris aside until he was completely uncovered.

"How hard is it to run away from an explosion?" I smiled cheerily down to him, glad to see he was okay.

 

[Byrd Man]

I heard the familiar voice of the Commissioner and see the man pulling himself out of the debris. I ran over to him, and helped him up from out of the rubble.

"I dunno, I haven't found him yet..." I told Gordon quickly, panic starting to break into my voice.

I carried on searching through the debris again for Bruce. I have to find him.

As soon as I heard him, I ran over to wherever the voice came from, looking around desperatedly. I caught sight of the grey of Bruce's costume and bounded over to it, digging away at the pieces. I carried on throwing the debris aside until he was completely uncovered.

"How hard is it to run away from an explosion?" I smiled cheerily down to him, glad to see he was okay.

"Very hard considering the fact that the actual explosion knocks you down."

I place my hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Where's my ex-wife at?"

 

[Byrd Man]

I heard the familiar voice of the Commissioner and see the man pulling himself out of the debris. I ran over to him, and helped him up from out of the rubble.

"I dunno, I haven't found him yet..." I told Gordon quickly, panic starting to break into my voice.

I carried on searching through the debris again for Bruce. I have to find him.

As soon as I heard him, I ran over to wherever the voice came from, looking around desperatedly. I caught sight of the grey of Bruce's costume and bounded over to it, digging away at the pieces. I carried on throwing the debris aside until he was completely uncovered.

"How hard is it to run away from an explosion?" I smiled cheerily down to him, glad to see he was okay.

"Very hard considering the fact that the actual explosion knocks you down."

I place my hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Where's my ex-wife at?"

 

[Carnage27]

"So she just...dumped you?" Gwen asks before brushing her hair from her eyes and taking a sip from the coffee in her hands. I kinda feel bad about hanging out with just her so soon. I mean I literally just got dumped, and I'm hanging out with her. And on top of that she used to date my best friend. I feel like I'm on the Real World, but with less herpes.

"Well...not exactly. We got in the fight, she kicked me out, and when I was on the train home, I got a phone call. It was weird," I say sighing. I also feel dirty for lying to Gwen as to why I'm upset. The Babs situation isn't phasing me at all. I had honestly prepared myself for that.

But Stanford...I feel like it'll always weigh on me. I heard sirens on the way here, and I realized I didn't have my costume on...and it felt good. I hadn't taken a day off in a long, long time. And I may take another off tomorrow.

And then again what if I don't? What if I do swing tomorrow? Will I be greeted as the same hero? Or will I be vilified? Will the cops actually try and arrest me? Or is there a secret task force set up to find me under orders from Luthor.

The possibilities are endless really, and most don't look good.

"Peter...? Pete did you hear what I just said? I said that's awful that she did that to you," Gwen says, placing her hand on mine. Her touch sends rockets through my body. After the past day of feeling numb, her touch brings me back to the realm of humanity.

I look up into her eyes, and almost get lost in them, "Yea I heard. Sorry I'm kind of out of it."

"It's okay," she smiles back warmly as I squeeze her hand. And of course, just as that happens, Harry walks into the coffee shop and spots the two of us.

"Harry!" I call out. He merely shakes his head, turns around, and exits the store dejectedly. "Terrific. That's just going to make things even worse."

"I'm sure he'll be okay," Gwen says, annoyance in her voice. "He barely speaks to me anymore anyway."

Gwens words soothe me. I hate that she has this grip on me, and I hate that I know it's always been there. Even when I was with Babs and she was with Har. I've known it for a while, but I've kept it under wraps. I'm sure Harry always knew, but he was a good enough friend to let it go. And now look at what I'm doing.

"Are we still going to the movies?" she asks, getting up and checking her phone. "We've still got half an hour to get to the theater. I know how much you want to see Kick-Ass."

"Yea sure," I reply, tossing my cup into the trash. "It's a date."
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

"Clark! Where the hell have you been?"

I adjust my glasses and pull on my tie as I walk into the Planet's newsroom. Perry gives me the stink eye.

"I was interviewing the uhhh, director of the Metropolis housing development."

"Well, good. While you were talking about housing grants, the whole world just changed."

I spend the next few hours getting caught up. Iron Man and Captain America re in SHIELD custody, the Amazo fiasco is being blamed on the Justice League...and Luthor is talking about a Superhuman Registration Act. Lois and I start working on a joint react article on the events in Connecticut, getting quotes from people in Metropolis and being fed news and quotes from the AP wire.

Jimmy's running spell check on our article when my cellphone vibrates.

Incoming Call: Restricted

"Hello?"

"Busy at work, Kent?"

My heart stops at the sound of voice on the other end of the line. Nick Fury.

"You don't have to answer, just listen. I've known you were Superman for awhile now, about the time you duked it out with that Kryptonian despot. Nobody knows your true identity but me, nothing is on paper, so you won't have to worry about our president getting a hold of your real identity. This whole mess with Amazo stinks to high heaven, kid. Meet me in the park in a half hour. We're going to get to the bottom of this mess."
The line goes dead. Lois' head pops up over my cubicle. She shoots me a look and arches her eyebrow.

"You okay, Clark? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm....feeling a bit under the weather. I might try to go home and lie down."

I push away from my desk and head towards the elevator.

"Thanks for saying goodbye..."
​

 

[Keyser Soze]

With Jay and Alan gone, only Tony and I remain. The Justice League reduced to fleeing away like thieves in the middle of the night. Although, with what happened, who's to say we aren't criminals.

The helicarrier touches down and SHIELD agents begin to pile out.

"Well," I say as I turn to Tony. "The ban's striking up a tune. Time for us to face the music."

"I got dibs on Butch. You can be Sundance."

I step forward, my hands in the air. I can sense Steve catching up, and standing by my side. The D.O.U.C.H.E. agents surround us, and take us onto the *****ewagon. I think I'm gonna patent that. Amanda Waller is waiting to greet us, a thin reptilian smile curling across her fat face.

"Gentlemen.... the President would like to have a word."

 

[Byrd Man]

"I got dibs on Butch. You can be Sundance."

I step forward, my hands in the air. I can sense Steve catching up, and standing by my side. The D.O.U.C.H.E. agents surround us, and take us onto the *****ewagon. I think I'm gonna patent that. Amanda Waller is waiting to greet us, a thin reptilian smile curling across her fat face.

"Gentlemen.... the President would like to have a word."

"I'm sure he does, Miss Waller."

The helicarrier slams shut behind us and the craft lifts up into the air.

********

Twenty Minutes Later
Washington DC
The Pentagon


Waller and SHIELD soldiers lead us through the halls of the Pentagon. They were still building this building the last time I was in Washington. I remember the day well, April 9th 1942. The day I met a young man named James Barnes.

"Mister Stark, Captain Rogers," Waller says as she leads us down another corner. She uses proper titles, but her tone is anything but cordial.

"If you'll go into this room, President Luthor and his advisors will be in the room shortly."

Waller turns away, and the soldiers sheepherd us into a white room with a metal table and two metal chairs. They slam the door shut behind us, leaving Tony and I alone.

"Charming room. Reminds me of some of the abandoned German army HQs I came across in France and Germany."
​

 

[Red_Robin77]

"Very hard considering the fact that the actual explosion knocks you down."

I place my hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Where's my ex-wife at?"

"She's in the Batmobile," I told him, and motioned for him to follow me.

I lead the way to the Batmobile, and opened the canopy again, and began to help Gordon's ex-wife out of the car.

"There we go."

 

[wiegeabo]

"How hard is it to run away from an explosion?"

I almost laugh at Robin's comment. Almost. Instead, I just grunt as my ribs grind.

"Very hard considering the fact that the actual explosion knocks you down."

I place my hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Where's my ex-wife at?"

Robin leads Jim off to the batmobile. I force myself to my feet, and limp slowly behind them. I tell myself the pain is worth it. That we rescued Jim and his wife. That we put the Joker's men down and the police will take them away. It helps...a little.

But the Joker is still out there. And Jim and his wife just went through hell.

Still, you have to take victories where you can get them. Even the small ones. Or else you'll go insane.

I'm sure there's a certain amount of irony in that.

"Robin called the precinct on our way here. They should arrive soon."

 

[Byrd Man]

Robin leads Jim off to the batmobile. I force myself to my feet, and limp slowly behind them. I tell myself the pain is worth it. That we rescued Jim and his wife. That we put the Joker's men down and the police will take them away. It helps...a little.

But the Joker is still out there. And Jim and his wife just went through hell.

Still, you have to take victories where you can get them. Even the small ones. Or else you'll go insane.

I'm sure there's a certain amount of irony in that.

"Robin called the precinct on our way here. They should arrive soon."

"Thank you for your help, both of you."

Barbara keeps her distance from me. It's understandable. She comes back from Chicago only to have....this happen.

"You better get out of here. News people are probably on their way. Giant explosions have that effect on Gotham news hounds."

 

[wiegeabo]

I nod at Jim and grunt. Press exposure is pretty much the last thing I need. I lean on the car and look at the driver's side. I can ignore the pain. I've done it before plenty of times. But this time...this time I decide to follow Alfred's advice for a change and take it easy. I look over at Robin.

"You drive."

 

[Byrd Man]

​

"Have a hotdog, Kent," Fury says as I sit down on the bench next to him. Two plump dogs are in his hands. The salt and pepper haired, one-eyed warrior with a pair of wieners is a pretty comical sight.

"I trust the food isn't poisoned."

"I swear, you drop one tiny nuclear bomb on a guy's head and he never lets you live it down."

I take a hotdog from Fury and take a bite.

"I was right, you are trying to poison me. I hate mustard."

"Interesting. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...yet unable to stomach the mustard seed. I'll have to put that in my file."

"I'd laugh if I was sure that it was a joke."

"Let's get down to business, Kent."

"Alright. What exactly do you need from me?"

"Before this fiasco with Amazo, Cap and I were investigating some information about Luthor and his ties to an organization known as A.I.M."

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"It shouldn't. They're a terrorist organization run by a bunch of technocrats. We believe Luthor used his contacts with A.I.M. to amass his fortune at Lexcorp."

"Where do I come into play?"

"This stuff with Amazo didn't just spring up overnight. That thing will have a paper trail to whoever built it. I need you to look into it while I go back to Europe to tie down the info I need on our president."

"I can do that."

"There's more."

"There always is with you, Colonel."

"You may be a big fancy reporter, Kent, but you're gonna need some help on this one. Someone outside the loop who can get things done. Like Cap and I, you need someone to play bad cop to your good cop."

"Who?"

Fury polishes off the last of his hotdog and smiles.

"When was the last time you were in Gotham City?"

 

[wiegeabo]

Long after Alfred and Dick had left the cave, the grandfather clock closes behind me, sealing the cave off from the rest of the mansion. I rub my sore ribs, which only feel marginally better after Alfred bandaged them. My body aches and is bruised after surviving two explosions in a single night, and taking down over a dozen of Joker's goons. I'm exhausted and want nothing more than to just go to bed and sleep the entire day away.

But I'm too wound up to do so. I could try to meditate, but I still don't think I'd be able to.

"Master Bruce, is something wrong?"

It's only when Alfred emerges from the kitchen that i remember myself. "No, Alfred. I just...don't think I could get any sleep right now."

Alfred sighs in that way he has when I refuse to take proper care of myself. And seeing as how I'm a vigilante who goes out every night and risks death, it's something I've become quite accustomed to.

"I see, sir. And I assume it would be pointless for me to remind you yet again how important sleep is for someone with your injuries?"

I smile a little. "It would. Instead, how about some breakfast. Something hearty. I'm starving."

Alfred looks at me with surprise for a moment. "You wish to eat, sir? Real food?"

I smile more. "Real food."

"Of- of course, sir." Alfred quickly makes his way back into the kitchen. Even though he tries to hide it behind his usual British stoicism, I can tell he's pleased.

I follow behind him and open the fridge, pulling out the orange juice. Then I hear I loud gasp and spin around.

"What happened to you?!"

Elektra.

How could I forget about Elektra?

"Bruce, what happened?"

Half my brain starts turning potential lies over, while the other half tries to play my injuries off. "Uh, what do you mean?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean?!" She's instantly standing in front of me, inspecting the injuries to my face. She pulls my head down to look over my scalp and see how extensive the injuries are. The action causes me to bend slightly, setting off my ribs. I gasp and clutch my chest out of instinct.

"It's...nothing," I manage to get out.

"Nothing?" She gently jabs her fingertips into my side, and I double over again. "I know it's been a while since Master Stick's lessons on anatomy, so I may be out of practice and forgetting a few things. Is nothing one cracked rib and two broken, or two cracked ribs and one broken?"

"I was...mugged."

"Did you talk to the police?"

"Well..."

"Did you go to the hospital?"

"Actually..."

"Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm-"

"Don't say you're not. Don't you dare say it. I didn't come back to Gotham just to have you lie to me. Now either you were mugged, or you weren't. If you were, then I'm calling the police right now and they can meet us at the hospital. If you weren't, then you're going to tell me what happened." The tone of her voice leaves no room for any alternative.

I just look at Elektra with my mouth hanging open, my mind stuck on what to do. I glance over at Alfred. He looks at me...and then quietly sighs.

"Master Bruce, there are times when the right thing to do is also the hardest." Alfred promptly puts down the pan he was holding and walks out of the kitchen, leaving us alone.

"What does Alfred mean?"

I lean back on the counter top and look at the floor. "He means it's time for the truth."

Elektra crosses her arms. "And that would be...?"

I look up and into her eyes, and I know there's no going back.

"...I'm Batman."

 

[Karem-Knight]

"I'm sure he does, Miss Waller."

The helicarrier slams shut behind us and the craft lifts up into the air.

********

Twenty Minutes Later
Washington DC
The Pentagon


Waller and SHIELD soldiers lead us through the halls of the Pentagon. They were still building this building the last time I was in Washington. I remember the day well, April 9th 1942. The day I met a young man named James Barnes.

"Mister Stark, Captain Rogers," Waller says as she leads us down another corner. She uses proper titles, but her tone is anything but cordial.

"If you'll go into this room, President Luthor and his advisors will be in the room shortly."

Waller turns away, and the soldiers sheepherd us into a white room with a metal table and two metal chairs. They slam the door shut behind us, leaving Tony and I alone.

"Charming room. Reminds me of some of the abandoned German army HQs I came across in France and Germany."
​

"Well, Captain; this is a military base so it's design qualities won't be quite on par with Gaudi."

Lex appeared in front of the two Justice League members with his arms behind his back and a smug smile on his face, setting the two heroes into an uneasy atmosphere. With him stood four S.H.E.I.L.D. Agents all standing by his side in case Stark and Rogers tried anything against Lex.

"As you have probably gathered this situation at Stanford has caused mass concerns for everyone, myself included, what I want to know is; have you found anything linking to the disaster and who was responsible for the android?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Lex appeared in front of the two Justice League members with his arms behind his back and a smug smile on his face, setting the two heroes into an uneasy atmosphere. With him stood four S.H.E.I.L.D. Agents all standing by his side in case Stark and Rogers tried anything against Lex.

"As you have probably gathered this situation at Stanford has caused mass concerns for everyone, myself included, what I want to know is; have you found anything linking to the disaster and who was responsible for the android?"

"We really haven't had time, Lex. As soon as the...."

Fight? Accident? Massacre? Explosion? Mass-murder?

"...Incident was over, SHIELD scooped us up and sent us straight to DC."