The New Ultimate DC RPG

[Saved]

(BATGIRL)​

One Month Later...​

"Uhhh..." I moan impatiently, rolling my eyes in frustration. "Another boring night. This is the fifth one this week. There's never a boring night in Gotham. Jeez, what gives? It took me forever to convince Montoya I actually fell asleep so she'd stop checking in on me. Please tell me it wasn't wasted on another quiet evening!" ​

Sitting on the edge of a gargoyle mounted precariously on the side of a skyscraper, I keep close watch on the city below - eagerly waiting for something to happen. As I sit atop the concrete statue, I feel the cold Gotham air begin to penetrate my suit. The breeze sends a chill down my body, causing me to shake for only a moment before I adjust to tonight's climate.​

"Awesome," I complain. "I completely restich my suit and it's still poorly insulated. I really wish I knew where Batman got his apparel. I could really use some quality material."​

Ever since my battle with the hotshot metahuman Hotstreak, I've been redesigning nearly everything about my "Batgirl" persona. Not necessarily because I wanted to - it was more a necessity. He burnt, melted, or destroyed all of my stuff; including my first, and possibly second, layer of skin. It was either restore and restock, or look like the first hobo superhero.​

But, despite being a MAJOR pain in the butt, I do have to thank the creep a little. He taught me that not every criminal I'll face will be the same. If I'm going to do this and live, I'm going to have to expect the unexpected and be ready for everything - even situations I may never face. I must have the upper hand before I even engage my enemies... otherwise, a few burns may be the least of my worries. Now my cape's made entirely of a fire ******ant cloth. Sure, it's heavier and a bit cumbersome, but now I have protection against fire.​

As readjust my position, the police radio securely attached to my belt startles me as the sound of static pierces the silence. Tuning the dial at the top of the device delicately, I find the proper channel and allow the transmission to come in clearly.​

"*KCCHZZT* Unit 50, this is dispatch, what's your 20? *KCCHZZT*"
"Dispatch, this is 50. We are still located on the East side at 5th and Adams monitoring a suspicious vehicle parked near a storage warehouse."
"Do you have a positive ID on the tags?"
"Yes, dispatch- November, Foxtrot, One, Sierra, Xray, Two."
"I'll run them through the database, standby."​

"Suspicious vehicle?" I ask myself aloud as the radio goes silent for a moment. "Mmm, could this be the excitement I've been looking for?"​

"Unit 50, I ran those plates - the truck was reported stolen about two months ago."
"No kidding?" the officer asks unsurprised. "Alright, dispatch, we'll check it out." ​

As the radio goes dead once more, I rise to my feet, securing the radio on my belt. Moving to the next pouch down, I grab my rope and begin unraveling it carefully. "5th and Kirby isn't far from here," I say, grabbing the metal grappling hook and carefully securing it to the side of the building behind me. "Even if it's nothing, it'll give me something to do tonight." ​

I tug on the rope as a precaution, checking to be sure it's safely attached. Grasping the line tightly, I leap off the statue and repel down toward the city streets below.​

Seconds later, my feet touch down on the rooftop of a second-story building. Tactfully, I shake the line above before pulling on the line sharply, detaching the hook and causing the line to drop down in front of me. "Wow," I say in shock as I begin recoiling the line. "I can't believe that trick actually worked. Thanks, wikipedia." After reattaching the rope to my belt, I run off toward the east side - heading toward my destination.​

****​

Ten minutes pass before I arrive. Moving into the shadows, I find a safe place to lie and wait - keeping watch over the situation before me. As I crouch in the darkness, I survey the area, searching for the two policemen. "Strange," I whisper to myself. "I see the squad car, but ... it's empty. Where are they?" As I stare at the cabin of the truck, I see two men sitting comfortably inside - their faces stern, yet, unphased. "What's going on here...?"​

 

[Byrd Man]

"I thought it evoked the proper imagery," I explain. I've never spoken to anyone about why I became Green Arrow before. It almost cathartic, in a way. "I was framed for a crime I didn't commit, and now I want to make sure that justice is delivered. I figure if I can help a few other people along the way..."

I trail off as I see a sign marked "Classics." Whistling to get Flash's attention, I motion in that direction as we start walking a little faster.

"So what about you? You don't exactly get that fast just running on the treadmill every day."

"Well, I was bitten by a radioactive cheetah, actually. I gained the animal's powers and used my abilities for my own selfish gains. It wasn't until my selfishness led to my uncle being murdered that I realized with great power comes great...." I trail off and crack a smile. "I'm just messing with you dude. I was in an accident involving a lightning bolt and some chemicals. Not sure what gave me my super-speed. I've always been a comic book fan, if you didn't notice by my BS origin, and I thought I could actually save people and do good in the world like those heroes."

We come to a stop in front of the before mentioned row and shelf. Sitting in the middle of the books is an explosive device. On the front of the bomb is a speaker.

"Welcome to the second round, players! This bomb has three minutes before it explodes. The only thing to stop it from exploding is a code on the front. You enter the code, it disarms itself. I'm watching, so any attempts to tamper with it will result in me blowing you both up. The answer is as follows: Mark Twain plus the tragedies of William Shakespeare. Good luck."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Zuel sits up in the back of the truck and takes a lap-top from one of the troops on board.

She quickly logs into the LexCorp mainframe and accesses the video servers. From there she bgins to study the satellite footage of her clash with Wonder Woman and Flash.

I gotta admit the guy red is kinda cute...but that raven hair ***** has got to answer for what she did to me! Superman is no longer my top priority...crushing Wonder Woman's skull will be the reason I live and breathe from this moment on.

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Well, I was bitten by a radioactive cheetah, actually. I gained the animal's powers and used my abilities for my own selfish gains. It wasn't until my selfishness led to my uncle being murdered that I realized with great power comes great...." I trail off and crack a smile. "I'm just messing with you dude. I was in an accident involving a lightning bolt and some chemicals. Not sure what gave me my super-speed. I've always been a comic book fan, if you didn't notice by my BS origin, and I thought I could actually save people and do good in the world like those heroes."

We come to a stop in front of the before mentioned row and shelf. Sitting in the middle of the books is an explosive device. On the front of the bomb is a speaker.

"Welcome to the second round, players! This bomb has three minutes before it explodes. The only thing to stop it from exploding is a code on the front. You enter the code, it disarms itself. I'm watching, so any attempts to tamper with it will result in me blowing you both up. The answer is as follows: Mark Twain plus the tragedies of William Shakespeare. Good luck."

I look at the Flash in hopes that this clue means something to him, but all I see is the same confused look on his face that I'm sure must be on mine. "We're in the library. Maybe he means the number of books by Mark Twain plus the number of Shakespearean tragedies," I suggest uncertainly. I'm just taking shots in the dark now.

We can't keep playing this madman's game forever. Soon, we're going to have to figure out how to bend his twisted rules and stop him. Like this ridiculous clue, I hope Flash has some ideas about that as well...

 

[Byrd Man]

I look at the Flash in hopes that this clue means something to him, but all I see is the same confused look on his face that I'm sure must be on mine. "We're in the library. Maybe he means the number of books by Mark Twain plus the number of Shakespearean tragedies," I suggest uncertainly. I'm just taking shots in the dark now.

We can't keep playing this madman's game forever. Soon, we're going to have to figure out how to bend his twisted rules and stop him. Like this ridiculous clue, I hope Flash has some ideas about that as well...

I dissappear for a second and come back in front of Green Arrow.

"The library is clear of people now. Just in case something happens. Also, Shakespeare had twelve tragedies. But Twain isn't that simple. He had novels, short stories, fiction, non-fiction. Even newspaper articles. We can't get a fixed number on all his works. The question is too broad, too vague. There's a trick question somewhere in here. I'm not sure where."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

The Atom lays still as Waller paces around.

Wait a minute if what Waller says is true this force field is in sync with my bio-rhythms at this size but what about.....

Waller says, "All-Right, Atom. I have done an act of good faith. Now do we have a deal?"

The Atom replies, "I need sometime to think it over. I mean this is an awful lot to lay on someone especially after what you just told me."

Waller says, "It's simple help us you get information about your mother, and believe me there is a lot to tell. Or you can say no and you're out of here."

The Atom says, "Sure I'm out of here and right into the nearest paper shredder right?"

Waller is silent.

The Atom says, "You can't kill me can you? Because if you could you would've done it but you need me alive because I am your one way ticket to the others."

Waller picks up the remote and says, "Don't count on it! I can..."

Just then The Atom says, "Okay I've had enough it's time to get down to it!"

The Atom shrinks to microscopic size. As she does she begins to see the molecular bonds of her force field and begins to pull them apart until she sees a hole in the force field.

Okay time to have some fun!

She flies through the opening and floats right up to Waller's face.

The Atom then grows back to six inches and says, "Surprise!" and Waller's eyes grow huge.

Waller says, "But how did you you we're confined!"

The Atom says, "You aren't the only one who has secrets!"

Waller clumsly reaches for The Atom as she floats upward beyond her reach and says, "My turn to inflict some pain!"

The Atom shrinks to microscopic size and flies into Waller's ear. She then flies to her heart and says, "Now let's see how you like having your breathing screwed with."

She kicks Waller's heart. Waller stumbles and grabs her chest gasping as other agents storm the room.

The Atom says, "Tell them to stand down and get out or the next one will make the last one feel like a tropical breeze."
Waller says, "Clear out! Stand down!"

The Atom says, "Good now it's my turn for terms! And these had better be followed to the letter! You have already made the mistake of under-estimating me once do you really want to do it again?"

Waller says, "What are they?"

The Atom says, "First off all bugging devices are in my apartment and office are off limits. With my shrinking ability they will all look like the Washington Monument to me. Secondly none of your M-I-B rejects are within a hundred miles of me and lastly I deal only with you, are we clear!"
Waller says, "Deal."

The Atom replies, "Good! Now I've had enough of this for one day. You are going to call the following number 555-7634 and say you want the number one special. During the phone conversation I will slip away. Remember I deal with you only!"

Waller says, "Be careful little girl! You have no idea who you are dealing with. This is far from over between us."

She opens her cell-phone and places the call. The voice on the other end says, "China Dragon can I take your order?"

Just then The Atom flies out and rides the carrier signal all the way to the restaurant.

The Atom flies to nearby window sill and sits and weeps.

What have I gotten myself into? What am I going to do? As much as I hate to admit it Waller has got all the control. Why do I have a feeling that my life is about to become a bigger mess than it already is?

She floats back to her apartment and shrinks down further and begins clearing out all the surveilence equipment.

 

[Eddie Brock]

I dissappear for a second and come back in front of Green Arrow.

"The library is clear of people now. Just in case something happens. Also, Shakespeare had twelve tragedies. But Twain isn't that simple. He had novels, short stories, fiction, non-fiction. Even newspaper articles. We can't get a fixed number on all his works. The question is too broad, too vague. There's a trick question somewhere in here. I'm not sure where."

"Of course there is," I sigh. I'm really much better at the part where I shoot arrows at the bad guy. At times like these, I seriously regret not taking better advantage of the prison library - especially considering my love for The Shawshank Redemption. "Okay, let's cover all our bases. What do Twain and Shakespeare have in common? How could they be linked together?"

 

[Byrd Man]

"Of course there is," I sigh. I'm really much better at the part where I shoot arrows at the bad guy. At times like these, I seriously regret not taking better advantage of the prison library - especially considering my love for The Shawshank Redemption. "Okay, let's cover all our bases. What do Twain and Shakespeare have in common? How could they be linked together?"

"Both could be humorous when the occasion called for it," I tick off with my finger. Lit 203, why can't I remember more about them?

"Hold on, be right back." I zip over to the biography section and read through three Shakespeare bios, and two books on Twain.

"There's very little these men had in common. Shakespeare was a playwright born to well-to-do parents and Twain was a Missouri boy born Samuel Clemens. He grew up wanting to work on a...."

My eyes bug out in surprise.

"Mark Twain is the answer! When he was working on a riverboat. 'Mark twain' is what people say when the water is 12 feet deep, deep enough for a riverboat to travel safely. That's why he chose that pen name! Mark twain, 12 feet, plus Shakespeare's tragedies, also 12, is 24! That has to be the answer!"

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Both could be humorous when the occasion called for it," I tick off with my finger. Lit 203, why can't I remember more about them?

"Hold on, be right back." I zip over to the biography section and read through three Shakespeare bios, and two books on Twain.

"There's very little these men had in common. Shakespeare was a playwright born to well-to-do parents and Twain was a Missouri boy born Samuel Clemens. He grew up wanting to work on a...."

My eyes bug out in surprise.

"Mark Twain is the answer! When he was working on a riverboat. 'Mark twain' is what people say when the water is 12 feet deep, deep enough for a riverboat to travel safely. That's why he chose that pen name! Mark twain, 12 feet, plus Shakespeare's tragedies, also 12, is 24! That has to be the answer!"

I nod, picking up the device carefully and entering the code. The ticking stops, and there's crackling on the other end of the speaker.

"You've come so far. The end is in sight. There's a plane coming in for a landing at Star City International Airport. I would hate for something to go wrong and for it to crash."

Flash and I exchange worried glances.

"If you want to save the plane, you'll move to your next location in the next four minutes. And here's your hint: I'm the start of war and the end of sorrow. Without me, you cannot express wisdom, but I'm at the heart of every dimwit. I come in waves, but you won't find me in the ocean."

"There you have it." There's a moment of silence as we both contemplate the latest riddle. Deciding to speak my mind, I add, "How much longer do we keep acting like puppets? If you ask me, I'm ready to take the fight to this clown."

 

[Byrd Man]

I nod, picking up the device carefully and entering the code. The ticking stops, and there's crackling on the other end of the speaker.

"You've come so far. The end is in sight. There's a plane coming in for a landing at Star City International Airport. I would hate for something to go wrong and for it to crash."

Flash and I exchange worried glances.

"If you want to save the plane, you'll move to your next location in the next four minutes. And here's your hint: I'm the start of war and the end of sorrow. Without me, you cannot express wisdom, but I'm at the heart of every dimwit. I come in waves, but you won't find me in the ocean."

"There you have it." There's a moment of silence as we both contemplate the latest riddle. Deciding to speak my mind, I add, "How much longer do we keep acting like puppets? If you ask me, I'm ready to take the fight to this clown."

"I got a plan I'm working on," I whisper to Green Arrow, unsure if there's a microphone nearby. "We just need to play the game a little longer."

"Now about the riddle. Could it be sound? War starts with gunfire, you scream with sorrow, can't speak without wisdow, your heart beats, and waves make sounds when they slap against the beach."

 

[Eddie Brock]

"I got a plan I'm working on," I whisper to Green Arrow, unsure if there's a microphone nearby. "We just need to play the game a little longer."

"Now about the riddle. Could it be sound? War starts with gunfire, you scream with sorrow, can't speak without wisdow, your heart beats, and waves make sounds when they slap against the beach."

I consider the suggestion. It sounds reasonable enough. "War and sorrow," I repeat, thinking aloud. "War and sorrow. And wisdom. Oh, my God! That's it! It's 'w!'"

Flash just stares at me, and I can tell it hasn't clicked just yet.

"'War' starts with 'w,' and 'sorrow' ends with it. You need 'w' to say 'wisdom,' and it's in the middle - or the heart - of 'dimwit!' 'Waves' has a 'w,' but 'ocean' doesn't!"

My excitement at solving it subsides when I realize that the riddle is only half-complete. I know the answer is 'w,' but how does that translate into a location?

"The W Hotel, in Center City!"

 

[Byrd Man]

I consider the suggestion. It sounds reasonable enough. "War and sorrow," I repeat, thinking aloud. "War and sorrow. And wisdom. Oh, my God! That's it! It's 'w!'"

Flash just stares at me, and I can tell it hasn't clicked just yet.

"'War' starts with 'w,' and 'sorrow' ends with it. You need 'w' to say 'wisdom,' and it's in the middle - or the heart - of 'dimwit!' 'Waves' has a 'w,' but 'ocean' doesn't!"

My excitement at solving it subsides when I realize that the riddle is only half-complete. I know the answer is 'w,' but how does that translate into a location?

"The W Hotel, in Center City!"

"Next stop, W Hotel. Please keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times."

I grab Green Arrow around the waist and begin running to the hotel. I stop halfway there when a crime catches my attention: it's a kid running out a store after shoplifting.

"Whoa!" I say as I stop, let Green Arrow go and confront the kid.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"It's easy, man. All the cops are nowhere to be seen! You can get away with anything!"

That's when it clicks. The police conference. We've heard a few sirens, but nothing compared to what would accompany a mad bomber/cyber-terrorist.

"Green Arrow, do you think you can make it to the hotel in time? I think I have a good idea of what he's up to, and I think it involves the cops at the convention center."

 

[Eddie Brock]

"Next stop, W Hotel. Please keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times."

I grab Green Arrow around the waist and begin running to the hotel. I stop halfway there when a crime catches my attention: it's a kid running out a store after shoplifting.

"Whoa!" I say as I stop, let Green Arrow go and confront the kid.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"It's easy, man. All the cops are nowhere to be seen! You can get away with anything!"

That's when it clicks. The police conference. We've heard a few sirens, but nothing compared to what would accompany a mad bomber/cyber-terrorist.

"Green Arrow, do you think you can make it to the hotel in time? I think I have a good idea of what he's up to, and I think it involves the cops at the convention center."

I nod. "I'll try and stall for time when I get there." Flash races off to investigate his lead, and I turn my attention back to the W Hotel. I can see it rising in the distance. No time to waste.

When I arrive, I can see the elevator doors open through the glass revolving door. How subtle. Jogging to the elevator, I'm not surprised to see that I don't need to press a button. The elevator doors immediately close, and I'm taken straight up to the roof.

"Where's your scarlet-clad teammate?" the Trickster asks over the hotel's PA system as I ascend. "There's no forfeiting in my game."

"He had to tie his shoes," I respond dryly. The elevator comes to a stop, and I load my bow as a precaution. The doors open to a small hallway leading to the roof access door. "So what do you hope to accomplish in doing all of this? You know you can't keep it up forever."

"Don't be so certain, archer. I've planned much more than you give me credit for. In one swift move, I will eliminate all opposition - starting with you and ending with the SCPD."

Flash was right. He is targeting the law enforcement convention. I only hope I can delay long enough for Flash to put his plan into action. Then again, from what little I've seen, Flash doesn't waste any time.

"Please, continue to the roof. I have a present for you."

I kick open the roof access door while keeping my bow raised. But there's no trap on the other side, no firing squad trying to gun me down.

There's only an empty helicopter.

"Get in."

I hope you know what you're doing, Flash.

 

[Byrd Man]

While Green Arrow deals with God knows what, I streak through the streets of Star City and come to a stop outside the convention center. First sign of trouble: not a soul is in sight. Usually, these things have greeters and security personnel as far as the eye can see.

I zip inside the building. Empty. The door to the conference room. Locked. Dammitdammitdammitdammit!

Another zip around the building once more stops me cold when I reach another entrance to the conference room. Attatched to the door is a bomb. No timer, no fancy code to put in. Just a bomb designed to kill a lot of the top police brass from around the country.

I sure hope Green Arrow's doing better. I, on the other hand, need to find a book on bomb disposal to read through....or maybe watch the Hurt Locker one more time.

 

[Eddie Brock]

GREEN ARROW

"There's no turning back now, Green Arrow. Get in the helicopter."

I hesitate. This is a trap. I know it. He knows it. He knows I know it. But what can I do? Unless Flash figures it out in the next five seconds, I don't have any choice. "And if I refuse?"

"Then the lovely folks flying in from Metropolis are about to have a serious case of turbulence," the Trickster threatens, still talking to me through hidden speakers on the hotel roof. "And this very roof will become their new landing strip."

"You're bluffing."

"I don't bluff, Green Arrow. I don't have to. If you don't believe me, look to your right." As I do, I see the outline of a plane heading in my direction. It's still a ways out, but they're definitely not heading for the airport.

"Alright, fine. I believe you, but I'm not getting into that helicopter until I know the people on that plane are safe," I demand. At this point, I don't know what kind of leverage I have, but it makes for a decent excuse to stall for time.

The Trickster sighs. "Ever the hero. Have it your way." As he says this, the plane redirects course and starts heading towards the airport. I watch carefully as it dips below the buildings and lands in the distance. "Now get in."

I clench my fists nervously. I don't have any cards left to play. I'm going to need to succumb to the Trickster's commands before he throws another curveball at me. "A deal's a deal." I step into the helicopter, and the door locks behind me.

"I want you to have a front-row seat to the show," the Trickster explains as the helicopter comes to life before me. He must be controlling it remotely. "And then, you die."

The helicopter begins to ascend, and I run through my options in my head. All of them rely on Flash getting something done at the convention center.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

Alright. Let's recap, shall we?

I accompanied Jay and my father to Star City while they attend a police convention. My original plan to see the sights and use the motel's free WiFi to look up shots of a scantly clad Wonder Woman was kiboshed by some guy who calls himself the Trickster. He's terrorizing Star City and leading me and a fellow maksed crimefighter on a wild goose chase around the city. After splitting up with Green Arrow to check out a tip, I have now found a bomb sitting in the convention center where all the police department big wigs from across the country are meeting. So, now I'm faced with a few options.

1. Defuse the bomb

2. Evacute the convention center, which is rather difficult considering all the people are behind locked doors and I'm not sure how long I have.

3. Take the bomb and run it out a few miles into the ocean, and drop it into the water to where the only thing it'll harm is fish. But if Trickster thinks like I think he does, then the bomb is booby-trapped.

I start out with option one. Going around to the back of the bomb, I take a survey of the bomb. Wow, that's a lot wires. Close to a dozen, all of them different colors. In the movies, it's always three or four wires tops. Alright. Time to do this the most scientific way I can.

"Eenie meenie miney dits, pick a wire that won't blow me to bits. If I pick the wrong color, then I'm one dead mother-"

I jerk out a pink wire. The bomb starts to beep, picking up pace with the passing seconds. So much for worrying about the boobie trap. I snatch the bomb off the door and bolt out of the convention center in a hurry. In a red blur of motion, I'm out of Star City and into the ocean. Time crawls to a standstill as I glide over the water. I glance down at my hands as I feel a weird shock buzz my hands. The bomb in my hands begins to twist and conform as a intense heat begins to burn my palms. It's literally exploding in my hands in super-slow motion.

"Whoa! Hot potato!"

I drop the bomb into the water and turn tail and run. The explosion kicks water up into the air and ripples the waves my way, but I outrun the blast and come to a stop on the beach. Bending down and putting my hands between my knees, I take a deep breath to clear my head.

God, I love my life.

 

[Eddie Brock]

The Trickster guides the helicopter over the convention center, where dozens upon dozens of important law enforcement officials are gathered. They're all just sitting ducks for this psycho's master plan. "Are you a fan of fireworks, Green Arrow?"

I look down at the convention center, hoping that Flash is able to do something. Then, suddenly, there's a flash of light in the corner of my eye. Turning, I see a small explosion out at sea. And - for a brief second - I swear I see a streak of red running away from it, back towards the shore.

"No!" The Trickster's surprise and outrage confirms my suspicions. "No, no, no, no! That insolent little bastard!" The helicopter banks sharply, and I'm tossed around inside. "There's no way!"

"Afraid so, partner." Looks like it's time for me to ditch this ride. Loading my bow, I fire an arrow straight through the helicopter's windshield. With a forceful kick, the windshield shatters. "If I may, I'd advise running before Flash and I find you."

I climb out of the helicopter and pray that this crazy plan works. Taking my bow, I jam it into the rotor blades. There's a whine as the bow is mangled a bit before finally catching. The helicopter goes into a tailspin, and I can only hope that the Flash is looking up.

"Here goes nothing," I say to myself as I dive off the side of the helicopter. I probably only have a few seconds before I hit the ground, but - from what I've seen - a few seconds is more than enough for the Flash. I close my eyes and pray that these aren't my last thoughts...

 

[Byrd Man]

The Trickster guides the helicopter over the convention center, where dozens upon dozens of important law enforcement officials are gathered. They're all just sitting ducks for this psycho's master plan. "Are you a fan of fireworks, Green Arrow?"

I look down at the convention center, hoping that Flash is able to do something. Then, suddenly, there's a flash of light in the corner of my eye. Turning, I see a small explosion out at sea. And - for a brief second - I swear I see a streak of red running away from it, back towards the shore.

"No!" The Trickster's surprise and outrage confirms my suspicions. "No, no, no, no! That insolent little bastard!" The helicopter banks sharply, and I'm tossed around inside. "There's no way!"

"Afraid so, partner." Looks like it's time for me to ditch this ride. Loading my bow, I fire an arrow straight through the helicopter's windshield. With a forceful kick, the windshield shatters. "If I may, I'd advise running before Flash and I find you."

I climb out of the helicopter and pray that this crazy plan works. Taking my bow, I jam it into the rotor blades. There's a whine as the bow is mangled a bit before finally catching. The helicopter goes into a tailspin, and I can only hope that the Flash is looking up.

"Here goes nothing," I say to myself as I dive off the side of the helicopter. I probably only have a few seconds before I hit the ground, but - from what I've seen - a few seconds is more than enough for the Flash. I close my eyes and pray that these aren't my last thoughts...

Green Arrow is a milisecond away from becoming street pizza when he's plucked from harm's way and safely deposited on a nearby sidewalk. Time crawls by to the point of slow-motion as I look up at the helicopter frozen just a few feet up into the sky. I get a running start and leap into the chopper, landing on the passenger seat. Alright, it's time to go to work.

************
​

The helicopter falls to pieces and harmlessly falls to the pavement. Even the craft's dangerous rotor blades have been taken apart piece by piece.​

"Sorry that took so long," I tell Green Arrow as I appear beside him. "I didn't read a book because taking something apart is a whole lot easier than building it. But still, that chopper had a lot of parts."​

"So, are you ready to end this once and for all?"​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Rhiannon escorts her building super out of her apartment.

He says, "I replaced the garbage disposal in your sink. I'm still trying to figure out how it jammed up with that electronic junk."

Rhiannon replies, "My, now ex, boyfriend is a techno-geek and I decided to get rid of some of his stuff trust me Mr. Haynes it's better you don't know anymore otherwise you could be called to testify later."

He nods and says, "Well have a good one Dr. Palmer."

Rhiannon closes the door and let's out a deep breath.

Thought he'd never leave. Only one flaw to my story I haven't had a serious relationship since JJ was killed in the car crash about three years ago. But at least I know Waller's eyes and ears have been elimnated here. At least they should be I spent all-night and most of today crawling around airvents, phones, my computer, and carpet fibers. I've taken 3 showers and I still feel like I have 6 layers of dust and dirt on me. I'll sneak into my office at Wayne Enterprises tonight and check it out.

She sits on her couch and looks at picture of her and her mother taken when she graduated college. Rhiannon crosses over to the picture.

I still hate the fact that Waller knows so many secrets about me and she knows about my mom's and my secret phrase. I love this picture though it's one of the few pictures of my mom and I taken where we are not arguing after Dad died.

She feels a tear drop form and then she drops the picture and it shatters.

OH GREAT! Now I get the joy of cleaning broken glass and buying a new frame and...wait a minute...

She notices something stuck behind the picture. She pulls out a CD-ROM.

What have we here? I better clean this up the last thing I need is my cat TJ crawling around with broken glass all over the place.

Rhiannon cleans up the mess and then pulls out from under her bed a lap-top.

I'm not sure if I can trust my desktop yet, but luckily I kept this as a back-up.

She loads the CD-ROM and sees a password prompt.

It can only be one thing.

She types in Ice-Cream and the screen flashes, "Password Accepted"

Rhiannon smiles just as a video of her mother begins.

Alice says, "Hello Rhiannon if you are watching this it means two things. 1) You figured out my password. Good Job! You were always so smart and clever, sometimes too clever and smart but that's not why I am making this and you don't need me yelling at you right now. We did that enough, and I admit not all of it was your fault I share some of the blame for what happened between us. Some of the blame though is yours too. Regardless know this I love you and I've always been proud of you. You are my child and you will never know how much you meant to me. Second, I'm dead. The picture I hid this behind is the one thing I made sure my lawyers would give to you personally. What I am about to tell you is going to be shocking and in some cases upsetting so if you want to stop now go ahead. Otherwise the information you see here is for your eyes only and I'm counting on you to do what is right."

Rhiannon stares at the screen and her mother says, "All-right then let's begin."

The next picture she sees is one of Amanda Waller and her mother says, "This is Amanda Waller and she is probably the reason I'm dead or had something to do with it."

Rhiannon takes deep breath.

Why do I have a feeling that this about to get more complicated?

 

[Catman_prb]

**** and piss all over my suit. **** and piss in my face. Seeing red.

"Fine!"

Come out of the **** with my gun out, barrel pressed to Gordon's forehead. Driver and Bullock: guns pulled and trained on me.

Driver: "Drop the gun, ***hole!"

"You boys waste me, my hand spasms and I squeeze the trigger. One pain in the ass dead, but you'll have to put an ad in the classifieds to look for a new commissioner. Hard to supervise the police department with a goddamn hole in your head!"

Turn to Gordon, hold the barrel to his forehead.

"Let's get down to bass tactics, shall we? One name says it all: Oliver Hammet. Think I'm the only one with a case on you? Think again. Slam Bradley and his little house n***** Ethan Bennet got you dead to rights on Murder One. They even have a leak inside the GCPD. They wanted me to be their second leak inside the GCPD, feed them information about Holiday and add evidence in their case against you. At hist last murder, Holiday has already said he only has a few months more to go before he's done. You give me until August to bring this case in, and I give it all to you. The PIs case against you, my case against you, the leak inside the GPCD, and Holiday's head on a mother****ing platter. Just. Let. Me. Work. The Case."

Gordon raises his hands slowly, a small smile under his well-groomed moustache.

"Well when you put it like that, how can I refuse?" Gordon said "Fine, you get until August to satisfy your curiousity. Until then you get a temporary reprieve. Just you. Not Bradley or Bennet. And not Kyle,"

Slowly, Gordon stepped away from the gun barrel. Nygma held it for a second, before letting it fall.

"That took balls. I'm impressed," Gordon said to the excrement covered detective "We'll be seeing you I'm sure,"

The commissioner and his cronies turned and walked away.

"You mean I stood in all this **** for nothing?"

"Shut up Driver,"

 

[Byrd Man]

Gordon raises his hands slowly, a small smile under his well-groomed moustache.

"Well when you put it like that, how can I refuse?" Gordon said "Fine, you get until August to satisfy your curiousity. Until then you get a temporary reprieve. Just you. Not Bradley or Bennet. And not Kyle,"

Slowly, Gordon stepped away from the gun barrel. Nygma held it for a second, before letting it fall.

"That took balls. I'm impressed," Gordon said to the excrement covered detective "We'll be seeing you I'm sure,"

The commissioner and his cronies turned and walked away.

"You mean I stood in all this **** for nothing?"

"Shut up Driver,"

Lean against the wall. Slide down into the ****. Hands shaking, pistol wobbling in my hand. **** Gordon and his rules. I'll burn him alive and piss on his ashes. Holiday is the key. It solves it all and gives Selina another chance. But for me? I'm ****ing dead, courtesy of Sal Maroni.

Two months.

I have two months until I'm a dead man.

****
​

Bellboy gawks at me. People throw hard stares my way. A hunch: walking through the Ritz lobby in a **** covered suit is soo 2009.

Desk clerk: "Can I help you?"

"I have a reservation. Name's Rubix."

"Ahh, yes. Miss Beaumont has already checked in for you.'

Relief. Selina is safe. Clerk hands me the key card. Nod, take the elevator to 1940. Slide the key card in the lock and go in.​

 

[Eddie Brock]

Green Arrow is a milisecond away from becoming street pizza when he's plucked from harm's way and safely deposited on a nearby sidewalk. Time crawls by to the point of slow-motion as I look up at the helicopter frozen just a few feet up into the sky. I get a running start and leap into the chopper, landing on the passenger seat. Alright, it's time to go to work.

************
​

The helicopter falls to pieces and harmlessly falls to the pavement. Even the craft's dangerous rotor blades have been taken apart piece by piece.​

"Sorry that took so long," I tell Green Arrow as I appear beside him. "I didn't read a book because taking something apart is a whole lot easier than building it. But still, that chopper had a lot of parts."​

"So, are you ready to end this once and for all?"​

I don't even feel the Flash catch me. One second, I'm plummeting to a certain demise, and the next I'm on my feet. That was a risky maneuver that I don't want to repeat.

"Nothing would please me more," I answer. "But how are we going to find the Trickster?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

Lean against the wall. Slide down into the ****. Hands shaking, pistol wobbling in my hand. **** Gordon and his rules. I'll burn him alive and piss on his ashes. Holiday is the key. It solves it all and gives Selina another chance. But for me? I'm ****ing dead, courtesy of Sal Maroni.

Two months.

I have two months until I'm a dead man.

****
​

Bellboy gawks at me. People throw hard stares my way. A hunch: walking through the Ritz lobby in a **** covered suit is soo 2009.

Desk clerk: "Can I help you?"

"I have a reservation. Name's Rubix."

"Ahh, yes. Miss Beaumont has already checked in for you.'

Relief. Selina is safe. Clerk hands me the key card. Nod, take the elevator to 1940. Slide the key card in the lock and go in.​

I hear the door opening. It can only be Nygma. I smell him before I see him. He looks terrible. His suit is positively ruined. "You're alive," I say simply, having nothing better to say. Maybe at another time, I'd run up and throw my arms around him. But he's covered in feces and, frankly, I can't show weakness anymore.

It already almost got me killed once.

"What happened with Gordon?" I ask, taking a lock of my shortened hair in my hands. I'm still not used to that feeling.

 

[Byrd Man]

I hear the door opening. It can only be Nygma. I smell him before I see him. He looks terrible. His suit is positively ruined. "You're alive," I say simply, having nothing better to say. Maybe at another time, I'd run up and throw my arms around him. But he's covered in feces and, frankly, I can't show weakness anymore.

It already almost got me killed once.

"What happened with Gordon?" I ask, taking a lock of my shortened hair in my hands. I'm still not used to that feeling.

Strip off my jacket, unknot my tie.

"I had both feet firmly planted in my grave, but managed to talk my way out of it. I've got two more months to find out who Holiday is before I either join Gordon's goon squad, skip out of town, or wind up in Slaughter Swamp."

Slaughter Swamp. Where HE is buried. Umberto. OUR secret. Maroni doesn't know....yet.

"From what I gather, he assumes you died in the fire I set. I hope I managed to get everything you needed before I torched it."

 

[Byrd Man]

I don't even feel the Flash catch me. One second, I'm plummeting to a certain demise, and the next I'm on my feet. That was a risky maneuver that I don't want to repeat.

"Nothing would please me more," I answer. "But how are we going to find the Trickster?"

"Hold on a sec, we're on the move again."

In a flicker of motion, Green Arrow and I are on top of one of Star City's largest skyscrapers.

"Sorry about that. I needed to get somewhere out of Trickster's cameras and microphones. I was taking apart the helicopter's engine when it struck me that this guy has something against cops."

Green Arrow shoots me a no-duh look and I shrug in response.

"Just bear with me, okay? I've taken some classes in criminal profiling and I started profiling Trickster while I was working on the helicopter. Okay, this guy hasn't asked for money. He knows a thing or two about how the city's power and control systems work, and he loved pulling our tails on this wild goose chase. What does that tell you? They're doing it for revenge, and to embarass Star City officals. We were brought into the game by chance. If not us, then he'd be doing this with some cops. Chances are, we're looking at some disgruntled Star City employee, maybe a cop, but someone with enough smarts to rig up all these games and hack into the system. We need to get to City Hall and look through their personnel files."