The "Ultimate DC" RPG

[MST3K 4ever]

(IC: Batman)

He's faster than he lets on... the first blast was barely avoidable. Have to keep that in mind...

I see him firing at me, once more. Auto-aim? Won't be able to dodge that... I'm a goner, unless I act...

I look down, seeing one of Alfred's dinner trays on the ground next to me. As Freeze fires his blast, I slam my foot on it, making it fly into the air. Grabbing it, I hold it infront of me, as the blast hits me with full force.

Strong... too strong... can't... let... up...

The blast is pushing me back... His gun is too powerful... Can't avoid it...

...

Maybe I won't have to...

With my free arm, I reach into my belt, pulling out seven or eight Batarangs as the blast keeps pushing me. I'm still not frozen... But I'm sure it won't take long...

I feel my feet begin to ice over, aswell as my legs. Still holding the tray and the Batarangs, I brace myself as I'm eventually covered in a block of ice. Have to make this quick... before I freeze to death...

Immediatley, I manover one of the arms that I kept protected with the tray around it, cutting it with the Batarangs. Then, I pull back, and...

*SMASH*

I've created a hole through the ice by cutting out the part that was made with the tray. By the time Freeze realises this, I throw the now frozen tray right at him, nailing him right in the chest. I'm sure it won't do much, given that he's well protected... But it will definatley buy me some time.

Punching the ice around me, I slam a couple of the Batarangs into the ice around my legs, shattering them as I fall out of it. God, it's unbearably cold...

Have to keep it up... Can't give Freeze an edge...

I roll, holding the Batarangs high, as I throw them at his gun, knocking it out of his hand. My breathing is scarce... but... I'm... I think I'm okay...

Immediatley, I go in for a punch, and...

...

OW.

I pull back, realising that his helmet is rock hard. Nearly broke my hand...

Before I can even attempt a kick, He grabs me, and hurls me across the room. I roll again, managing to stop myself from crashing into the wall. I look back. There's no fighting this guy... His equipment... It's too powerful...

Maybe I can reason... Or maybe I can't... but it's worth a shot...

I'm shivering, as speak hoarsely...

"...W...Why?! What have... t-these people.... ever done to... you?!"

Freeze stares at Batman for a moment and says, "The irony of being asked a question like that from a man dressed as a bat to a man who is wearing a freezer as clothing is almost funny."

He walks over and picks up his gun...NO! it's damaged...I can't use it right now. Stay in control...

He looks at Batman and walks back over to him and says, "I did not want to live I was willing to die, but Jon Walker allowed me to live. I realized that Walker and others like him feel they have all the power and are above suffereing. I will be the one to show them that they are not above it. Humanity decided that it wanted me to live. I will now show them that was their greatest mistake."

He presses a button on his suit and he hears in his helmet a diagnostic program running. Suit Efficency at 63%

Freeze continues, "Bruce Wayne a billionare playboy who has known great tragedy, and yet he decides to use his status as Gotham's favorite son to live a life of pleasure rather than learn from his suffering. I have learned what it is to suffer at the hands of those with power. Now I will have my revenge. Even if it takes me 1,000 years. Thanks to my condition and my suit I am immune to just about every disease and human discomfort."

Freeze then holds it his glove and says, "Engage protocol #1230." His had begins to glow and then he stops as he hears the police sirens in the distance. I am not ready to battle the police and the Bat at the same time...even in his current condition I know the Bat is a dangerous man.

He backs away and freezes a large window. He shatters and says, "We will meet again Batman, and when we do you will not have another stay of execution."

He jumps into the river and disappears...lumbering back to his hideout.

 

[Trigger]

Thanks to the mysterious phone call, Connor's plans for a full day of nothing but leisure were ruined. He decided that if he couldn't enjoy being lazy and staying home, then neither could Chloe. He floated of the sofa and over to the telephone. When he dialed Chloe's number he was a bit surprised to find that it was Don who answered.

"Hello?"

"Don...?"

"Chloe asked me to hold her cellphone while she was looking over some clothing."

"Oh, ok. Where are you guys?"

"East Metropolis Mall."

"Cool. I'll be there in about thirty minutes. Meet me in the parking lot."

"Okay."

Connor floated effortlessly upstairs to his bathroom and took a quick shower before getting dressed. The refreshing shower convinced Connor that flying to the mall would be more fun than driving his newly returned Porsche. He threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and flew out his bedroom quickly.

He surveyed the cityscape beneath him as he flew across the sky towards the mall. Metropolis was so busy, so wrapped up within itself, that Connor wondered if people ever contemplated what was happening in the world.

The sound of gunshots interrupted his quiet reflection and Connor swooped down into the city to find its location. He swerved in and out of traffic; carefully avoiding being hit by the passing cars. He tracked the source of the gunfire to the same parking lot that Chloe was supposed to be waiting for Connor in.

A large twenty-something man and a girl who looked the same age, were having a shoot out with mall cops. Even though no one had been seriously hurt, the chaos around him ensured Connor that doing nothing would only lead to several injuries.

Most Metropolis citizens would, and had abandoned the area, but good ol' Chloe was still on the scene with her trusty camera on hand. She was placed strategically behind a car (most likely at Don's suggestion), and she eagerly taking shots left and right. Connor counted twelve camera clicks since he had arrived at the parking lot, and knowing Chloe, she had no intention of stopping.

With Don already keeping Chloe out of danger, Connor wasted no time attacking the thug and his female friend as they took potshots at the mall cops.

"Baran! We got company!" the girl screamed.

She was dressed in tight pink outift and had several bags of cash tucked inside her purse. Her tall, muscular companion had a few bags on his person too. She wore her hair pinned back with a hair clip and his hair was greasy and long. Connor had trouble seeing where his sideburns ended and his hair. His black tank top was a stark contrast to his companion's bright pink outfit.

At the sight of Connor flying towards them the man, Baran, grabbed the girl and the two fled behind a large column of the mall entrance. They reloaded their guns, and continued to hold the cops at bay with their wild potshots.

"Geez, its Lexcorp's dog! He's got superpowers and stuff!" Baran cried. "What are we gonna do, Shimmer?"

"I'm not sure. He's got telekinesis or something, so I imagine gunshots are useless against him."

Connor increased his speed and pushe his arms back, ready to divebomb the duo. Shimmer stopped firing at the cops and took a few shots at Connor. He easily dodged them by pulling a barrel roll manuever and then returned to his divebomb.

"Crap! He's too fast! We'll run out of ammo soon."

"Maybe we should turn ourselves in..."

"I got a better idea. We'll jack that car over there!"

Shimmer pointed at a red SUV that was few yards away from the entrance of the mall. Its owner had abandoned it and left the car running with the door wide open. Chloe and Don were behind Don's Mercedes Benz, which was a few yards south of the SUV.

"You're right that'll be sooo easy! They even left the keys in there!"

"Cool, so we'll run to it and get inside, okay?"

" Alright."

The two readied themselves for the short sprint and dropped their guns on to the ground.

"One...two...three-"

Baran sprinted at full speed towards the SUV, not realizing that Shimmer had ran in the opposite direction, back inside the mall. Connor erected a barrier in front of the mall doors, and Shimmer let a loud scream after running face first into it. Baran turned back and watched Shimmer fall to the ground unconcious. Connor swerved in the air and changed his direction towards Baran.

Baran let out a howl as Connor tackled him. Connor erected another TK barrier in Baran throat and the two wrestled on the ground for a moment. Baran soon succumbed to the lack of oxygen and passed out. Chloe ran over to the two and snapped some more shots. Don reluctantly followed.

"Awesomeness!"

"This was too easy."

"Who cares? I got shots for the Torch website."

"Geez, I wish people would stop robbing places around me."

"I don't." Chloe said with a snicker.

The two watched as the mall cops arrested the the pair of would be robbers and then left the parking lot in Don's Mercedes Benz.

 

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

Freeze stares at Batman for a moment and says, "The irony of being asked a question like that from a man dressed as a bat to a man who is wearing a freezer as clothing is almost funny."

He walks over and picks up his gun...NO! it's damaged...I can't use it right now. Stay in control...

He looks at Batman and walks back over to him and says, "I did not want to live I was willing to die, but Jon Walker allowed me to live. I realized that Walker and others like him feel they have all the power and are above suffereing. I will be the one to show them that they are not above it. Humanity decided that it wanted me to live. I will now show them that was their greatest mistake."

He presses a button on his suit and he hears in his helmet a diagnostic program running. Suit Efficency at 63%

Freeze continues, "Bruce Wayne a billionare playboy who has known great tragedy, and yet he decides to use his status as Gotham's favorite son to live a life of pleasure rather than learn from his suffering. I have learned what it is to suffer at the hands of those with power. Now I will have my revenge. Even if it takes me 1,000 years. Thanks to my condition and my suit I am immune to just about every disease and human discomfort."

Freeze then holds it his glove and says, "Engage protocol #1230." His had begins to glow and then he stops as he hears the police sirens in the distance. I am not ready to battle the police and the Bat at the same time...even in his current condition I know the Bat is a dangerous man.

He backs away and freezes a large window. He shatters and says, "We will meet again Batman, and when we do you will not have another stay of execution."

He jumps into the river and disappears...lumbering back to his hideout.

He's in the wind. Literally.

I watch as Freeze crashes through the window (Which, by the way... I am not happy with, completely ignoring the fact that he's frozen half of my home...), and go to the window as he crashes into the river with a splash.

Damn it. DAMN IT... He escaped. I could've stopped him if I had been better prepared... But there was no way I could've...

No. Had I payed attention to his previous crimes... Had I taken action... There is no excuse...

And was he right? Because I'm not taking control of what happened to my parents in the manner he has... does that mean I haven't learned from it? I... No. No, I can't believe that. Freeze is wrong to choose this way to exact revenge. I chose the right path. The only reason he said that was because he saw what the public Bruce Wayne was... But not the real Bruce Wayne... Not me...

I look back at the damage that's been caused. My home... It's been vandilised. Beyond that... It's been nearly destroyed. However, it isn't as bad as it could've been... I can probably get most of the damage repaired by next week, with my resources...

...

Oh my god...

I run back down the halls, leaping from the second floor to the third floor. My breath shortens. Please, for the love of god...

"Alfred?"

I run through the frozen halls, down to the armory, which was frozen shut. I leap, foot held high, as I kick the ice... and the door... down, revealing that the room is still intact. My voice goes back to it's normal tone, as I call out...

"Alfred?!"

Sure enough, moments later, He comes out from behind the entrance to the Cave, looking around.

"Master Bruce? Oh thank heaven's you're alright..."

"Likewise. Though I wish I could say the same for the Mansion..."

I look back, seeing the damage done. So does he.

"Oh my..."

"It's nothing that can't be repaired. Replaced, I'm not sure of, but..."

"Nonsense, Sir. The Wayne Family legacy is much more than what was destroyed in there."

I look back at him. He's right... I can't let myself be blamed for all of this... as I was about to do.

"...I guess you're right."

We both walk out of the room, and out into the hallway. That's when I remember the police sirens...

I turn to Alfred.

"Stall. I'll need to change for the inevitable report I'll have to file..."

"I don't doubt that, But... you are forgetting one thing...", He says, pointing to the car in the parking lot. The Tumbler...

I look back at the Cave entrance, and then at the car, debating. Then I reach down, pressing a button on my belt. The Tumbler spins, and drives off on it's own. Alfred looks at me, eyebrow raised.

"...I had some upgrades done to it."

"Apparentally so..."

And with that, I run back into the armory room, open the Grandfather clock, and slide down the ladder as I begin removing my uniform. Batman has done all he can, here... And with what's happened, I can't go back out on the streets tonight. I have to find some place for us to live, while the Mansion is being repaired... pack things...

And begin work on finding a madman who attacked my home.

 

[Nightwing 52]

“So were you going to tell me who you really were before I slept with you or after?”

Probably nev-er. I smile, keeping my back to him.

I froze, cold like an iceberg. I felt the the nerves going up my spine as if it was my own arrows being plucked out of me. I had just revealed myself to a beautiful woman, who....I only knew from the time I've spent here. Which had only been about a couple hours.

This is what I get for trying to play hero, instead of thinking straight. When naturally, the situation was already taken care by someone more experienced then I was. I look around to see all the guest coming out of hiding after what had just went on, while I was trying to explain myself. Even I can't forgive myself for screwing this up....

"Ok I admit, I'm an idiot. A BIG one, and I'm sorry for that. It's something that I'm known for, what can I say? I know you don't exactly trust me THAT much anymore, but this is not that way I usually treat women."

I take a few steps back and fourth with my head down, gathering my thoughts. Then looked into the pale moon light, after is when I grabbed her hand.

"Come with me."

We walked up to the upperdeck of the yacht, and stood there for a few mintues. She looked at me in an awkawrd glance, not that it was like that way before. It wasn't some sord of Titanic moment, but it came close. I figured I might as well tell her how I got onto this heap in the first place...

"Alright, what I told you wasn't the least bit of the rest you already know. Not only am I not friends with Luthor, I'm not even a guest at this little gathering of his. In fact, I hate his guts...I snuck my way on here, and took someone else's suit and tie. But trust me, I didn't expect to meet someone like yourself."

I watch as I see a woman grab what looked like to be her husband's arm, as they shared a kiss. To bad I was no where NEAR recieving one, or was I? I grinned, then continued to talk to Dinah.

"Y'now, if the night had continued to go on before this whole disaster, I WAS going to tell you at some point. Probably after we got to know eachother a little better, not after or before I slept with you cause that isn't the case."

Unexpectedly is when the left pocket of the pants I had stolen starts ringing, and I realized it was his phone. I quickly shut it off and threw it over board, what did I care it wasn't mine anyway.

"Not that I wouldn't have minded it, but I'm not that kind of person. Anyway look, I'm sorry. And if you want to act like this never happend, or that we never met this evening, then I understand."

I liked her, I'll give myself that. All I could wonder was if she felt the same way for a guy like me, oh who was I kidding...

 

[Mr. Terrific]

Central City, night time almost 9:00pm underground is the biggest club for meta humans. Only the ones who uses the powers, for a price. Like me, hahaha they call me Mr. Terrific. I can do things only people dream of doing. Like jumping off a buildings twice before landing, Colt walks win. He's my head status man, tell me what I needs to do when an where. Even when a new offer comes up.

Michael, great news!! I just got word that a new score came in. A special costumer wants you and a few of our special friends here to brake into Central's highest paid bank! The bring the loot to them.

"How much are they paying us this time around?"

About a quarter of a million. It pays high for a job this big, you know that! No way can we let this one slide, I let the others know.

"Wait, I'll do it. Best I'm the one to assemble the team, we'll need a hell of a good one. Call Jessica for me, she's got a good use of powers. Her electric fields could come of use with the security that place is holding."

I laugh to my own self, this is going to be A PIECE OF CAKE. Better get a hold of the rest of the gang, no time to waste on this one.

"Thanks for the heads up, Colt. HAHAHAHA."

No problem, sir. It's my job.

Tomorrow was going to be the best day of my entire life.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Freeze begins to make repairs to his gun as lets his suit dry out from his trek back from Wayne Manor.

The assualt on Wayne Manor wasn't exactly a complete failure. I learned that Batman truly is flesh and blood...I HAD HIM!!!! I HAD HIM!!!! I feel my inability not to execute him will come back upon me I must be ready for him. I also learned that inspite of all of my technological powers with the suit...in the end this suit is reallistically a computer and cannot withstand but so much pounding. I must begin making plans so I do not rely on it so much. The technology I have in my hands is a blessing...and a curse.

He picks up his gun and fires it...Perfect...and the suit should be back to full operating status within the next hour...and then once again I shall continue my vengence.

 

[Batman]

(IC: Bruce Wayne)

I walk into the room of the deluxe suite, carrying suitcases. I was fortunate enough to savor my credit card, of all things, during Freeze's attack. I look around at the room's decor and compare it to one's I've stayed in previously. This will do until the mansion is restored.

I set the suitcases down, and immediatley lounge on the couch in frustration. The report I filed took hours out of my time... Dodging certain questions and making up details in order to hide what really happened. I did manage to leave out any part about The Batman's involvement... Mainly because I knew that if I mentioned that, It'd lead to more questions. In any case, I'm just glad I made it through without strangling one of the questioning officers...

Alfred walks in, making the load I carried in seem like nothing. ... ...Well, he does live to serve, as he once told me. He looks around the room.

"Well, Sir... It's no Bat Cave, But I'm sure you can live with it."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Did I say anything?"

"No, but I'm quite certain you were thinking it."

...Oddly enough, I was about to.

"Just as long as you don't complain."

Alfred looks over at the jacuzzi built in the far side of the room. One of the many perks of being a 'Billionaire playboy'. He looks at it with delight.

"Oh, I don't see reason to."

I get up, grabbing one of the suitcases and place it on the bed, as I begin unpacking.

Freeze's words are still getting to me when they shouldn't. "I have learned what it is to suffer at the hands of those with power. Now I will have my revenge. Even if it takes me 1,000 years.". It's not so much me thinking that I should do the same... It's moreso the fact that it's horribly similar to the mission I set out for myself. It also brings up a question I've rarely asked myself... Will it ever end? Will I quit this, in the future? Or is my entire life doomed to playing dress-up in order to avenge a set of circumstances that took place many years ago?

I then begin thinking about my parents, on the cold ground. Their blood soaking the pavement. Their eyes questioning why they've been given such an unfair death at the hands of the gunman as they die. My own eyes close.

If it has to come to it... I won't stop. Not until they've been given justice. Their city is still crumbling... and as much as I hate to even imagine it, Freeze may only be the beginning. As long as men like him and the man who killed my parents exist... Batman must exist, aswell. 'Even if it takes 1,000 years'.

It's in this moment that I hear Alfred's voice booming into my head.

-ster Bruce?"

I look at him. I became lost in my thoughts again.

"Huh? Oh... Alfred... I..."

"You were daydreaming again, it seems."

I sigh, walking out to the balcony. Gotham is in full view from it. At this height, I can easily glide to and from here with little detection. Alfred walks out to it aswell. I look back at him. He is... as close to a parent as I've had in these long, lonely years. I can trust him with my thoughts...

"Can I ask you a question?"

"If you even have to ask that, Sir, than the question may be needed."

"About this life... The path I've chosen... Is it wrong? Have I made a mistake?", I ask, honestly.

He looks at me with somewhat of an uncertainy of what to say at first, but eventually answers.

"Well... I'm going to be honest... When you first told me of your plans to run around Gotham dressed up as a winged animal, I wasn't particularly... supportive, of the cause. But then I think of people like the man who attacked us earlier this evening... And quite honestly... I thank every god that may be out there that you chose those means over becoming one of them."

I smile, a little. Not what I expected... But enough to be, as one would call it, 'inspiriational'.

"Thanks. I... needed that, believe it or not."

"My pleasure. Now, considering your mind is obviously on it, and considering I'm sure you'll have plans for this evening...", He says, walking to one of the suitcases, and unzipping it. I raise an eyebrow, for a second, before he turns, revealing what he's taken out. My cape and cowl.

"...I thought we'd take the liberty of... how did you say it? 'Upgrading' them, while you wait for sundown."

A smirk graces my face, as the realisation hits of what he's talking about. Freeze and I will likely meet again. Unlike the previous instance, I think it's time I prepared myself for such an encounter....

 

[Trigger]

Ryuko stood and stretched a little. He had stayed crouched behind a green SUV that was parked two rows south of David Connor's convertible. H.I.V.E. couldn't risk him giving the E Project's details to any government affiliates.

Ryuko learned when he was 12 about the concept of boxes. As his instructor Mrs. Kane had told him, the government was a system of boxes within boxes. What the secret service does after midnight wasn't his buisness, and on the flipside, what H.I.V.E. did after midnight wasn't the government's buisness either. H.I.V.E. and the government weren't rivals, in fact it was just the opposite, they were allies. When political problems couldn't get solved by mere peace talks, it was H.I.V.E,'s job to deal with the problem. All the government needed to do was supply them with money and send them targets and children.

That's why people like David Connor had to be killed. If he went around telling the government that H.I.V.E. was building bio-mechanical weapons, the government might be a little more hesistant to send them funding. Without funding several major projects would be halted.

Ryuko didn't need to know any actual details about the E Project or about any of the other threatened projects, he just needed to know that his assingment was to murder David Connor and eliminate Young Justice, Lexcorp's youth group. If they were around any longer, super groups could become too mainstream, and the government mght put pressure on H.I.V.E. to go public.

Ryuko's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Mr. Connor on his cellphone.

" Hello? Margaret? COuld you put your boss on?....Thanks."

David Connor had several rolled up blueprints beneath his armpits and his cellphone was in one hand. It took him several minutes to fumble his keys around and open the car door. Ryuko slowly moved past a few cars while keeping crouched low. He waited for Connor to resume his conversation on the phone before swiftly manuevering through the parking lot again.

"Dan?...Hey, Dan. I'm really in a mess here. I'm supposed to show these government officials the blueprints today, but my assistant had trouble finding all of them, and when I got pissed he started asking so many questions....No, of course I didn't tell him what they were for...I know how important secrecy is right now...."

Connor's last comment made Ryuko snicker as he manuevered through the parking lot. He knew how important secrecy was, but yet here he was giving away documents for a project that H.I.V.E. had contracted him to do in secrecy. Connor had heard this little outburst, but wasn't quick enough to see Ryuko dodge behind a car two yards away.

"What?...Oh, no. I thought I heard something. Hey, how about I call you later in a less...open enviroment? ...Ok..ok..goodbye."

Mr. Connor hung up the phone and as he began to place some of his blueprints into his convertible, Ryuko charged. Connor let out small grunt as all 160 pounds of Ryuko's weight was pressed against him; knocking him into the front seat of the convertible.

Ryuko withdrew his sword and held it in his right hand, while he pressed Mr. Connor's head down onto the front seat. He struggled in his confusion amongst the pile of blueprints in vain. His arms flailed wildly as Ryuko began to plunge his blade into his side. Connor's blood flowed richly as Ryuko stabbed diligently. Connor's struggling began to weaken.

After a few minutes of flailing, Connor passed out from his wounds. Ryuko dragged Connor's body out of the car and neatly placed it on the left side of the vehicle. Ryuko then shredded the documents with his katana's blade. When he was done he double-checked the scene and began to leave. He wasn't the type of guy who admired his work.

As Ryuko left the parking lot of Connor Construction Company, he began to wipe himself down with a few sanitary wipes. He then placed his katana back in its hilt and withdrew a cellphone from his suit's breast pocket.

"Hello, this is Karen Breecher speaking."

"Hullo, this is Oosono-san."

"I see, how did the mission go Oosono-san?"

"The documents are ripped and covered in his blood."

"Good, return to the academy and rest for now. You can work on the YJ job later."

"Ok."

"You know, it was pretty nasty how you took out that Hank Hall guy."

"How so?"

"You put his hand inside a garbage disposal and then let him bleed to death."

Ryuko chuckled on the phone for a bit and then hung-up. He never cared for high-class socialites, but Hank Hall was an especially egotistical jerk. He had it coming...and for that matter, so did the rest of Young Justice.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Mr. Freeze sees that his suit is more than ready. Since Mr. Wayne was not at home then I shall strike at another of his prized posessions.

He activates the on-board computer and says, "Computer plot me the fastest course to Wayne Industries the main operations complex...if nothing else I maybe able to 'borrow' a few more items that may prove to be useful to me in the future."

Mr. Freeze exit his hideout throught the sewer systems and begins to lumber towards Wayne Industries Main Operations Complex.

He removes the man-hole cover and sees the building rising in front of him.

Impressive...most impressive indeed. Again the security system is not allowing me to hack into the system...BLAST! Looks as though I may have to once again be crude about all of this.
FRAKSHA!!!! Mr. Freeze freezes the security cameras and then freezes the back gate. He kicks down the gate and it shatters into dozens of peices.

He sees the guards coming towards him FRAKSHA!!!!FRAKSHA!!!!FRAKSHA!!!!FRAKSHA!!!!He freezes them in place.

"Computer", he says "Recall the bio-rhythms of Batman. Feed them into the main scanning system...alert me when those rhythms are within 10 feet of me."

The computer replies, "Acknowledged."

Mr. Freeze then enters the building heading to the R & D department.

 

[Trigger]

Don didn't get the call until around five 'o clock. No one noticed Hank's disappearance for a full two days. Chloe had been giving Don tours of different Metropolis locations, and Conner was busy brainstorming new promotional ads for YJ.

Hank's body was discovered by one of his more recent hook-ups. Teen actress, Silver St. Cloud, stumbled on his corpse when she came to give him back his tennis bracelet. She found him a few feet away from the front door of his hotel suite.

Mr. Jones was the first one on the scene and the sight of Hank's greenish-blue body was quite sad. The bruises on his face indicated that he had been beaten severly. His hand had been severed before he was beaten. The trail of blood leading from his kitchen to the front door's entry way, painted a picture of a young man trying to seek aid.

Mr. Jones had never seen a sight as gruesome. Whoever killed him took their time planning this murder. His body was pumped full of tranquilizers and ropes tied around one of the dining room chairs indicated that he was possibly tortured as well.

Mr. Jones let out a long whistle before approaching one of the CSI unit members.

"What happened here?"

A twenty-something woman turned to him and spoke, "The vic was drugged, possibly tortured while restrained to a chair, and then had his hand cut off by the garbage disposal."

Mr. Jones whistled again.

"That's a pretty nasty way to go."

"Yeah, poor guy didn't die from the beating though."

"What killed him then?"

"Not sure. Either he went into shock, or he died from mass blood loss. Worst case scenario, he went into shock and slowly died from blood loss while unconcious."

Mr. Jones didn't whistled this time. He stayed silent as he marched around the suite. Hank's room wasn't ransacked in anyway. He wondered for a moment if this was retaliation against the YJ's new campaign, or if this same person was after Conner. He fought off those kind of thoughts and continued over to the Hank's body. His partner was already examining it with his eyes.

"Tsk. What a waste. What do you think Judge Hall will say about this?"

"He'll cry. At least.. that's what I'd do if Conner ever..."

"Don't finish that sentence. It's bad luck you know."

Mr. Jones nodded sullenly.

"Do you mind...?"

Mr. Jones's partner shook his head no and continued staring at the body. it was a natural reaction for him. Mr. Jones walked into a corner of the suite and then called Conner's cell.

 

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

I stand atop Gotham City. A city that has fallen prey to the peril of many individuals over the years through criminatlity and corruption. I swore a self appointed mission of justice which would prevent that instance from happening again at a young age. A vulnerable age.

Tonight, this mission reaches it's ultimate test. A madman... An evil I could have never envisioned in my wildest imagination has chosen to use his power to place the citizens of this city in peril once more. It is something I must stand against.

I did not train for this. I trained for the rapists... the muggers... the common 'normal' criminal. This madman, of which calls himself 'Mr. Freeze' of all things, is nothing like that. Wielding a weapon that can render, from my observation, any object within a frozen state... Freeze has crossed many lines since he began. He's killed people... innocent people, in a quest for obvious revenge against something that happened to him long ago.

I've spent half of my day studying him. One of the eyewitnesses during the attack on a one John Walker mentioned hearing the name Victor Fries. This was printed in a newspaper accounting of what happened. Naturally, I began digging into this... And what I found was very interesting, to say the least.

Fries' wife, Nora, was diagnosed with a terminal illness of which no cure existed. Not long after the announcement was made, Fries began using his research on... and here's the smoking gun, if you will... Cryogenic research, in order to place her in a state of frozen hibernation until such a cure could be found. During a reported lab accident, however, Fries was reported dead, caught in an explosion.

And precisely one year later, Mr. Freeze kills the man who funded the project. John Walker. It's almost too obvious that I have to question whether I'm not looking deep enough into it... But in theory, if what I believe is true... Mr. Freeze is Doctor Victor Fries, committing crimes to avenge the death of his wife, who was also caught in this supposed 'explosion'.

I have to stop him. Some small part of me pities him, for I too know what the loss of someone dear can do to a person. However... As my example proved... He didn't have to choose the path that he did. He must be stopped before any others can be taken, and due to the police force being nearly helpless... I'm the only one who can, at this point.

I have not called any of my allies. I have not spoke with Jim Gordon. I have not called Rachel Dawes. I haven't barged in on Dinah Lance. Why? Because... From last night, onward... Freeze crossed one of those said 'lines'.

He attacked my childhood home. My parents' home. A place I reluctantly called my own from childhood, to childhood's end, and again upon my return to Gotham months ago. It's not as if none of it can be replaced... Infact, it is, even now. It's the symbolism of it. He attacked my home. Whatever I do tonight... However I bring Freeze in... I do not want any of the those three people to see me doing it.

As my cape flows amongst the wind, I listen to the night. The radio in my cowl picks up any radio stations within the area, aswell as police beaconings. Nothing in Gotham City will happen without my knowledge.

And sure enough, soon after I've taken to the night once again... I hear something. A report coming in, obviously from a nearby Squad Car, from the sound of it...

All Units. All Units. Reported Disturbance At The Corner Of 5th And Main. All Availible Units Are To Respond.

...

5th and Main? My fists clench, immediatley recognising the address. Wayne Industries. Not that I should be surprised, considering I managed to put a halt to any further plans he had for Bruce Wayne, last night... But he does have a nerve, doing this. And I know it's him... Nothing else could warrant an all out bulletin.

I won't stand for it. Tonight, Fries goes to Arkham, once and for all. By my hands. Taking out a line from my belt, I aim, and throw it out into the night's sky. Then, with a leap, I become airbourne, heading towards that same destination.

Gotham City... My father's city... will not fall to those evils once again...

 

[The Question]

(OOC: Sorry for my absence)

Clark and Lois look up at the flying figure.

"Oh god....."

"Lois! Get inside!"

Clark grabs Lois by thea arm, and the two head inside.

"Clark, we have to...."

"You see the weapons on that thing? We're getting out of here!"

Clark begins to run down the hall. Lois calls after him.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to go see if I can find a life boat or something. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure if I could swim to shore from the middle of the lake. Stay here and keep your head down."

Clark runs down the hall. Lois, after a few moments, turns to the door and opens it slightly.

"Yeah. **** that."

Clark runs down the halls until he finds a dark corner. He quickly changes into the suit, and flies out one of the doors at high speed. He rises into the air and stops infront of the armored figure.

"What exactly are you doing here?"

The man in the suit gives off an amoused chuckle.

"Well. Isn't that something. I was thinking you were a hoax or something, like the Loch Ness monster. Guess tonight's not going to be a waste of time after all."


"What do you want?"

"Piss off, blue boy."

The armored man delivers a haymaker to Clark's jaw. He goes flying, and crashes into one of the docks.

"....ow."

As Clark stands up, the armored man hovers over him.

"Hi."

The armored man raises his arm and fires a small missile at Clark.

"....oh joy."

The missile hits Clark in the face, sending him crashing into one of the nearby wharehouses and exploding.

Clark stands, his head aching and his ears ringing from the hit. Blood trickles down his nose. Okay, time to change tactics.

Clark shoots up at the armored man, grabs him, and throws him out onto the lake before he can process what's going on. The man stops mid air several hundred feet away, and begins firing a spray of bullets at Clark. Clark flies at him, letting the bullets bounce off of his chest. They sting slightly, Whatever these are, they must be tough. Heavy heavy armor peircing rounds of some kind but Clark shrugs them off. He slams into the armored man, sending both of them barrelling into the water.

"Thanks, man."

"What?"

"Water's a conductor."

The man's suit releases a powerful taser shock, sending waves of pain through Clark's body. Clark lets go, and flies into the air. He begins firing at the armored man with blasts of heat vision. He dodges them, and punches Clark right across the jaw. He then proceeds to punch him in the gut, knee him in the crotch, and deliver a strike to his throat. He grabs Clark by the hair, and holds his rocket launcher up to his face.

"Nighty night."

Just before the armored man fires the rocket, Clark grabs his arm and points it up at the sky. Then, before the armored man can react, Clark ripps off a weakened section of his suit, exposing the wires. He barrels the two of them into the water, and flies back into the air before they hit it. The water shorts out the man's suit. Clark grabs him, heads back to the boat, and drops him onto the deck.

Back on the boat, Lois watches as a barely visible blur streaks past, and the armored man falls from the sky. Slowly, and causiously, she walks onto the deck to isnpect the scene. Suddenly, she feels someone tap her shoulder. She turns around, startled.

"Lois?"

"Christ, Clark, you scared me."

"Lois, I think I found a life boat, we.....is that the guy with the weapons that was just in the sky fifteen minutes ago?"

"Yeah."

"What the hell happened?"

"I'm not sure."

Lois looks up at the sky, towards the city.

"But I think it might have something to do with 'superman'."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Freeze enters the R&D department. Impressive...yes most impressive. Many of these items are the cutting edge of technology.

Freeze holds up several circuit boards...these could power my suit for weeks maybe even months. These tele-com circuits would upgrade my communications systems in my suit. Mr. Wayne you maybe an adle-minded playboy but your people are worth every penny you pay them.

Freeze begins storing the circuits in his suit.

 

[Venom160]

{Harvey Dent}

"Well that was a big f**king waste of time!"

"No it wasent."

"Ok Mr. DA, tell me why is wasent?"

"Those are two suspects that we now know did'nt do it, problem was they where the only two suspects we had."

"Than I guess we just start hitting up any thug we come across until we get somthing."

"No that would take time, time we can't afford to spend right now. I know your not going to like it but we need help with this."

"Wait your not thinking.....?"

"No, but maybe somone who could get contact to him."

I come across a payphone and dial a number I dialed plenty of times before.

"Hello."

"Hey Jimbo."

"Harvey?"

"Yeah its me, listen we need to talk."

"Sure, where do you want to meet?"

"Meet me at my place, or whats left of my home. And no cops I just need to talk."

"Ok."

I hang up the phone and start to walk away.

"What the hell was that?! You pretty much handed us over right to the cops!"

"No we can trust him."

"How do you know?"

"Because if there is anyone I can trust James Gordon is it."

 

[twylight]

I put my hands on my hips.

“Oh so you don’t normally lie to the girl?”

He grabs my hand and leads me to the back of the boat.
"Come with me."

Darn it! I should be down there where the action is not with some handsome, suave, intelle….

This is NOT happening! I’m a grown girl of 20. I’m old for my age, mature. I own my own detective agency while most girls my age are still giggling at sorority houses over frat boys. I can disarm a man in under 10 seconds. I can even take their guns away. Yet here I am totally taken off guard and following a complete stranger around while Superman, the foremost ‘new hero’ in the United States is getting blown up with rockets not two hundred yards away.

"Alright, what I told you wasn't the least bit of the rest you already know. Not only am I not friends with Luthor, I'm not even a guest at this little gathering of his. In fact, I hate his guts...I snuck my way on here, and took someone else's suit and tie. But trust me, I didn't expect to meet someone like yourself."


He’s got that star struck look on his face, more than a little dreamy. He doesn’t honestly think I’m going to lean over and kiss him like that couple down there. I glance out of the corner of my eye. Superman had taken the robotic suit down and the residual screams of the party guests had died down, now there was only muted yelling as people demanded to know what happened. What looked like two reporters were down at the scene. Where I should be but…

I look back to Roy.


"Y'now, if the night had continued to go on before this whole disaster, I WAS going to tell you at some point. Probably after we got to know eachother a little better, not after or before I slept with you cause that isn't the case."

I open my mouth to throw him a witty retort.

“Dinah!” I turn at the sound of foot steps as Josh charges towards me, Helena following close behind, her hand on Josh’s arm.

“Dinah, are you alright?” She brushes past Josh and grabs my hands somehow slipping between Roy and I.

“I am so sorry. So sorry I didn’t..”

She’s sorry? Oh geez..does she always have to come off as the ‘nice’ one?

I hold my hand up quickly, her breathes are coming short and quick and of all of us I think she’s the one more in shock.
“Helena it’s okay.” I grab her arm and look her right in the eyes smiling gently.
“It’s alright”

I look up and see Josh staring down Roy, his older brother protective mode kicking in like second nature. even though it was. Truth is I’ve never had a boyfriend and any guys that were even remotely interested I either brush off or broke their nose.

“Oh..um…Roy this is my brother and his fiancé, Josh and Helena. Josh and Helena this is Roy.”

Josh nods briskly before turning his back and placing his hand on Helena’s shoulder guiding her away.

“We should go.” Helena walks quietly away and Josh lingers for a moment.
“All of us.” He says softly before putting his arm around Helena and leading her away.

I roll my eyes. Yes..protect Helena…worry about Helena….

I turn back to Roy, fumbling for words. My self-confidence going from a young woman with a business to a 13 year old girl with braces.

“Well, that was exciting…” I smile and make an awkward motion.

“I’d better go.”

 

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

Wayne Industries. Being one of the leading industrial empires in the country, it's the reason half of Gotham City, aswell as parts of other cities and landmarks are standing. It's main purpose serves to better the world, as Thomas Wayne would agree. Were he alive today.

A former scientist specialising in cryogenic research turned revenge seeking madman is now attacking it. Bruce Wayne is the legal owner and CEO of this building. Freeze has made this personal, probably without any realization.

I land across from the skyscaper of which I go to every weekday, for occupational reasonings. I assess the situation before even attempting to go in... Something I, unfortunatley, didn't think about the first time I encountered Freeze. He's in a highly technologically advanced corperate building... And judging from the work and obvious power put into his suit... That isn't good. But how the hell do you-

Wait. The power. That's it... Any attack Freeze would make based on the electricity and power inside would only prove to my fatality. But if I can get rid of that advantage... Not only would I prevent him from using it, but I would also bring in an advantage to myself...

I fire my grapnel gun at the top of the building, and swing up, climbing the rest of the way when I land on the side of it. As I climb, I mentally review the blueprints to the building that I looked over when preparing to take Wayne Industries under my heading. If I recall, the fusebox is on the roof...

I get to it, open the cover, and take out a pair of wire cutters. Then I briefly question why I put them in my arsenal in the first place, before proceeding to cut the main wires. Lights, computers, air conditioning... I disable all I can within a reasonable amount, without comprimising any further work I may have to have done when I come into work on Monday. It's just enough to suite my purposes for now.

That advantage to myself? One of my more experienced areas. Criminals in the light have nothing to fear. They see all their obstacles ahead of them. However... Darkness clouds them. Makes them nervous. Afraid. That's where I come in...

I cut one last wire... The alarms... before putting the cutters back into my belt, and sneaking into the building through the roof door. Once inside, I activate the night-vision in the lenses of my cowl. He's not on this floor... Which is good, considering what I have planned...

Running to one of the elevators, I open the panel to the controls, and hook it into my wrist computer. Yet another benefit of being the heir to a billion dollar fortune... Access to equipment most have yet to discover. I type in the commands, and watch as every one of the elevator door's open, and elevator itself go up a level. That's my cue.

Taking out a gas-grenade from the back of my belt, I throw it into the shaft, open. The gas spreads to all of the areas in the building. It won't choke Freeze, I'm sure... considering I've seen the bubble he's secluded his head in... But it'll be enough to mask my prescence.

I strap on a gas mask, before leaping into the shaft, and sliding down the elevator cables.

I believe the phrase is... 'Showtime'.

 

[Trigger]

Conner’s cell phone rang, but he was too occupied to answer the call. Currently he was trying to calm a radioactive and quite insane young man by the name of Paul Booker. The teen had been caught in an explosion while on a field trip at the Metropolis Nuclear Power Facility. After returning to the school, the side effects of his exposure to the radioactive materials began to make their presence known in the form of strange, almost impossible, disasters.

These disasters ranged anywhere from exploding toilets, to overheating ovens. The source of these disasters weren’t known at the time, so the school had been evacuated. However, bright student that he was, Booker realized he was the cause and started attacking students while they were evacuating. Conner and any active members of YJ had been called to the scene. Unfortunately, the only active member able to respond was Conner. Unbeknownst to him, Hank was dead, and Don was busy being questioned by the police. Duela was too busy playing a gig in Keystone to come, and Bette…was off being Bette.

When Conner had arrived, Booker had caused a small earthquake that trapped two cheerleaders inside a locker room. Conner was able to break them free, but Booker fled into the school’s gym. Conner followed reluctantly and was immediately knocked on to the ground when Booker caused another small seismic quake.

Seeing him on the ground the young teen confidently strode over to Conner and laughed.

“Go away!” Booker cried.

Conner got back on to his feet and dusted himself off.

“I’m not leaving until you stop this non-sense! Someone could get really hurt!”

“That’s the point!”

Connor sighed, “This isn’t a movie! Admittedly, you’ve come into possession of some rather awesome powers, but you don’t know what effect they might be having on your body!”

“Oh, brother! What are you, some kind of super nurse? Go bother someone else!” Booker waved his hand in Conner’s direction and almost immediately a new disaster followed.

A large piece of the gym ceiling fell broke off and fell towards Conner. Using his telepathy, Conner caught the chunk of ceiling, but it was so heavy that Conner nearly collapsed from the strain of catching it.

“Like that! How about some more, you Lexcorp punk?!”

Booker waved both of his hands in Conner’s direction, and a bright orange glow blinded the two of them. More chunks of the ceiling fell and Conner diligently caught them; albeit he was now on his knees, struggling to keep the pieces from landing on him or any civilians.

“How are you feeling now?” Booker asked with mild amusement.

“How do you think I feel? I was taking a nap before I got the call to come and subdue you!”

“Oh boo-hoo! The big-time superhero had to get off his lazy tuchas and help out the community!”

“Well, I wouldn’t have to get off my lazy tuchas if you weren’t causing problems for everybody!”

“Me?! I’ve always done the right thing! It’s people like you who are the problem! You claim to help people, but you’re never around when the really need you! Where were you when Michael Fletzner was beating me up after school! Huh?!”

Connor sighed again and reeled from the pressure of supporting the roof. Booker’s assault had caused the structural support of the building to weaken. Conner couldn’t handle anymore trouble from him. He needed to keep Booker busy…

“I admit it! There are some people who deserve to be hurt! However there are a whole lot of people who don’t deserve this!”

“Whatever! I’m tired of being the weak one! I’ve got real power now, and I get to pick on you and everybody else now!”

“These things, being bullied and bullying people, they don’t last. Before your field trip to the Nuclear Facility, someone was bullying you. This Fletzner kid and his friends, they weren’t at the bottom of the food chain, but they are now! How long do you think it’ll be before some other kid gets freaky powers and causes a fuss, huh?! Do you want to be the next kid at the bottom?!”

Booker fell silent. Sweat rolled down Conner’s face as Booker contemplated Conner’s words. Conner tried hard to keep his fatigue from showing. He really did feel sorry for the kid, but he didn’t have time to lecture or coddle him. The amusing realization that Bette could’ve remedied this situation made Conner smile, but he made sure to hide this from Booker.

With the exception of her little fast-freezing concoction, Bette had been more annoying then helpful. However her skills as a personal motivator and a talk show host would’ve been very helpful. Conner couldn’t call on YJ now, but he could think of how they’d react to this. Hank would try to tackle the kid, Don would let him kill a few people before intervening, and Duela wouldn’t have show period…

Suddenly a thought jumped in his head. The words of his wise father resounded clearly in his mind.

“No matter how powerful you are Conner, you’re still just a kid.”

If pissing Booker off increased the intensity of his disasters, then embarrassing him would….

Booker finally spoke after considering Conner’s words, “You’re right...but I still don’t care!! I’m all powerful now and you’re just a stepping stone to my path to glory! I’m no longer Paul Booker! I’m now the almighty, all-powerful Captain Catastrophe!”

Booker held his hands high into the air and screamed the name over and over. His hands glowed with such intensity that Conner worried that Booker was about to do something very terrible. It was now or never.

“Captain Catastrophe? Pfff! More like a Major Disaster!” Conner yelled back.

Sparing as much of his TK from supporting the roof, Conner yanked Booker’s pants to the ground. Booker stopped concentrating on his next attack and tried to pick up his pants. Conner then tugged Booker’s underpants so far up, that Booker let out a loud scream before falling to the ground.

“Loser!” Conner yelled; now filled with the adrenaline that a bully picking on a little kid would feel.

Booker tried to stand, but his shoe laces had been tied. He fell to the ground once more. This time, however, he made no move to get back up. Conner stood before him like a mighty sentinel of the cruel world he had lashed out at. Crushed by his depression and torment, Booker curled into the fetal position and sobbed uncontrollably.

If Conner felt bad for him, he didn’t show it.

“Some super villain you are!” Conner said smirking.

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

On the other side of town, Ryuko Oosono entered a tall office building. He waved high to the man occupying the front desk and rode the elevator to the top patiently. He exited the 5th floor and then walked to the door of his destination. The door read:

105​

Kareen Breecher​

​

Ryuko knocked gently and waited for the soft voice of his colleague before entering. Karen pushed her braided hair behind her ear and leaned back in her seat. From the tired look on her face, Ryuko could only assume she had been wrapping a case log for someone’s mission.

Karen took a deep breath before speaking, “Hello.”

“Hello, Karen-san. I came to give my update. I got a phone call saying that I was late.”

“You were, you were, but you’re here now. So how are the cases with YJ and the E project going?”

“They’re fine, but I still haven’t taken care of the big game. One half of the Hall twins have been killed and I destroyed both David Connor and his blueprints for the E project.”

Karen nodded silently and then sat back up in her chair. She typed a few things on the computer and then rubbed her chin. Ryuko shifted uncomfortably in his chair, which sat opposite of Karen’s desk.

“Is something wrong, Karen-san?”

“Yes…something is very wrong.”

Ryuko swallowed hard and nodded. He never botched his jobs before, so this feeling of anticipation was new to him.

“You didn’t kill David Connor. His body and his blueprints were found outside his company’s building. Soon after being found, his body was whisked away to some government compound along with his brilliant plans.”

Ryuko did not defend his incompetence with excuses and other remarks like most agents would have done. He knew the punishment for failure and was ready for it. Karen cleared her throat and she made direct eye contact with Ryuko.

“Thanks to your failure the government now knows that H.I.V.E. was making weapons of mass destruction behind their backs. In response to these new findings, they could cut our funding, reveal us to the international community, or worse….
Ryuko Oosono, you were chosen for this mission because your style of combat and method of execution were perfectly suited to this situation. You shouldn’t have left as much of a trail as you did. We initially believed that due to your non-powered status, that you wouldn’t be as easy to track.”

Ryuko nodded solemnly. He knew this from the outset. Karen told him all of this when he was first assigned to this mission.

“Ironically, the government now knows everything about our efforts to subdue Connor, and even have the blueprints for the Eradicator model. We’ve given mere children access to an atom bomb. Do you know what the punishment for this failure is?”

Ryuko had been doing an awful lot of nodding lately. He knew the punishment as well as any other H.I.V.E. agents did. Black box. H.I.V.E. was a group that handled many covert-ops and its agents could be found anywhere in the world. If its presence was announced to the world, H.I.V.E. would be compromised. Its agents, its partners and affiliates, its secrets, and its plans would be destroyed if anything got loose.

To prevent minor problems from growing into bigger ones, H.I.V.E. had developed itself into a system of boxes within boxes. No one box (or agent) would know what any other boxes were up to. If one box dropped the ball, it would be “black boxed”; which was code for termination. Depending on the scale, the afore mentioned termination could be a bullet to the head or simply being cut off. Ryuko knew which one he deserved.

“You were such a bright boy. Ms. Kane asked me to personally dismiss you because she wanted you to know that this was a very difficult decision. We’ve already prepared to have you killed.”

Ryuko’s stomach tied into a knot. The very words seem to lack any emotion. Ryuko understood how important this was to H.I.V.E., but his own survival instinct started to kick in.

“However, you can finish your mission and fix this mess. The E project is a loss to us at this point, but you can finish off Young Justice. By doing this last task for H.I.V.E., we may be convinced to let you live. Perhaps we could even arrange for someone to break you out of jail.”

“I…I will not fail. I will finish off the other four without worry.”

Karen nodded and then returned to her typing. Ryuko excused himself from the room. As he made his way out of the building he tried to remained stoic. He left the building just as quietly as before. This time however an air of somberness hung around his head.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

(IC: Batman)

Wayne Industries. Being one of the leading industrial empires in the country, it's the reason half of Gotham City, aswell as parts of other cities and landmarks are standing. It's main purpose serves to better the world, as Thomas Wayne would agree. Were he alive today.

A former scientist specialising in cryogenic research turned revenge seeking madman is now attacking it. Bruce Wayne is the legal owner and CEO of this building. Freeze has made this personal, probably without any realization.

I land across from the skyscaper of which I go to every weekday, for occupational reasonings. I assess the situation before even attempting to go in... Something I, unfortunatley, didn't think about the first time I encountered Freeze. He's in a highly technologically advanced corperate building... And judging from the work and obvious power put into his suit... That isn't good. But how the hell do you-

Wait. The power. That's it... Any attack Freeze would make based on the electricity and power inside would only prove to my fatality. But if I can get rid of that advantage... Not only would I prevent him from using it, but I would also bring in an advantage to myself...

I fire my grapnel gun at the top of the building, and swing up, climbing the rest of the way when I land on the side of it. As I climb, I mentally review the blueprints to the building that I looked over when preparing to take Wayne Industries under my heading. If I recall, the fusebox is on the roof...

I get to it, open the cover, and take out a pair of wire cutters. Then I briefly question why I put them in my arsenal in the first place, before proceeding to cut the main wires. Lights, computers, air conditioning... I disable all I can within a reasonable amount, without comprimising any further work I may have to have done when I come into work on Monday. It's just enough to suite my purposes for now.

That advantage to myself? One of my more experienced areas. Criminals in the light have nothing to fear. They see all their obstacles ahead of them. However... Darkness clouds them. Makes them nervous. Afraid. That's where I come in...

I cut one last wire... The alarms... before putting the cutters back into my belt, and sneaking into the building through the roof door. Once inside, I activate the night-vision in the lenses of my cowl. He's not on this floor... Which is good, considering what I have planned...

Running to one of the elevators, I open the panel to the controls, and hook it into my wrist computer. Yet another benefit of being the heir to a billion dollar fortune... Access to equipment most have yet to discover. I type in the commands, and watch as every one of the elevator door's open, and elevator itself go up a level. That's my cue.

Taking out a gas-grenade from the back of my belt, I throw it into the shaft, open. The gas spreads to all of the areas in the building. It won't choke Freeze, I'm sure... considering I've seen the bubble he's secluded his head in... But it'll be enough to mask my prescence.

I strap on a gas mask, before leaping into the shaft, and sliding down the elevator cables.

I believe the phrase is... 'Showtime'.

Freeze sees that the building has gone dark. He's here the question is where in the building.

"Computer link the bio-scan in with the auto-fire. Any bio-signs resembling Batman's fire the gun automatically in that direction," he says.

The computer replies, "Unable to comply with auto-fire command. Smoke in the area unable to get an accurate lock."

Freeze replies, "Very well continue with bio-scan and engage defensive suit code #1. If Batman tries to touch my suit he will be in for quite a shock."

The computer replies, "Confirmed."

All-right Batman I am here..come and meet your doom.

 

[Trigger]

Conner longed to be away from the grey clouds that hung over the graveyard today. The Hall family was quite rich and lavish when it came to anything, so Conner was quite surprised to find that Hank's funeral was so low key. The priest who showed up was quite somber himself and only twenty people showed up. The casket was elaborately decorated with the different medals and pendants Hank had earned from his days as a marine.

Conner sat next to Chloe while she offered emotional support to Don. Hank was his twin and despite their differences, it was obvious that Hank's passing was having quite the effect on Don. Mr. and Mrs. Hall never stopped crying, and Silver St. Cloud, who was rumored to have been shacking up with Hank, was busy looking out for any paparazzi. The rest of YJ was seated in the back; mainly to keep the Halls from being reminded of why Hank died.

The price of the superhero game became all too clear for Conner as he listened to the priest recite Hank's obituary.

"Here lies today, the body of an honest, hardworking American. Hank Hall was a very talented young man with a promising future ahead of him. Young Hank graduated from Santa Monica High and entered the navy at the tender age of 18. After spending two very dedicated years in navy, Hank returned to America hoping to make an impact on his fellow peers here in Metropolis.

While apart of Lexcorp's Young Justice, Hank helped retrieve stolen property and arrest several meta-human threats. Hank had plans to start a YMC for young inner-city kids before being killed by a cowardly, anonymous murderer in his own hotel suite. Let us not think of this a parting, but let us look at this as a new beginning. We'll give everybody last chance to observe Hank's body before transporting him to the actual burial site."

Don staggered over to Hank's coffin with both parents in tow. His face went pale as he took one last look at Hank's still, calm face. Silver, Conner and Chloe were the next three to get a last chance with Hank. As they walked, Conner observed Silver in her funeral garb. She was quite the beauty, and Conner could understand why Hank would want her. As the three of them stood over Hank's coffin, Conner lightly patted Silver's shoulder. She leaned next to him and the aroma of her perfume filled Conner's head and almost sent him flying into the air.

"Hank used to talk all about you." she whispered to Conner.

"Really?" he whispered back, somewhat forgetting the morbid setting of their conversation.

"Yes, he said you were really cool. According to him, his real reason for joining was to get closer to you."

Conner was filled with mild surprise. He had always thought of Hank as an egotistical jerk who forced his way on to the team to get publicity.

"He was really awed by your powers. He had never met anybody with telekinesis before. Joining a super group like Young Justice was a dream come true."

"Really?"

Silver nodded solemnly, "Yeah, he was wild about the whole thing. Of course, I thinks it obvious she was out of his league fighting metahumans and stuff."

"Yeah, they can be a pain-"

"You know, telekinesis is a pretty cool power."

"It is." Conner said slowly being pulled into la-la land by Silver's perfume.

"Maybe you could take me flying..."

"Uh, s-sure."

“Cool.” she said calmly.

Silver leaned closer to Conner and slipped a silver piece of paper into his pocket. Conner’s body temperature grew several degrees as she walked back to her seat. The inappropriate nature of this conversation was not lost on Conner, but a certain sense of anxiousness kept him from stopping Silver’s advances.

“Call me.” she whispered as she walked away.

Chloe held Conner’s hand as they walk away, but she did so very tightly. She waited until they were an equal distance away from the casket and the seated mourners before speaking.

“How could you flirt with Silver St. Cloud while Don and Halls are mourning."

“Sorry, she was wearing this awesome perfume and the way she was speaking was so-”

“No excuses!” she said half whispering, half shouting.

“I’m sorry. How about I take you and Don to dinner?”

“How about you stop playing big time superhero and start really helping the people around you?! Don just lost his twin!”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Conner said nearly shrinking back.

Chloe didn’t say anything else after they sat down. Nor did she say anything after the ceremony was over. She remained silent the whole time, and it hurt Conner to not hear her speak. Sitting quietly in the back seat of one of the funeral cars, Conner wished he hadn’t formed Young Justice at all.

*************
Half-Way across Metropolis, Maxwell Lord shared the same sentiment. Maxwell had entered America at the age of 16 and had worked his way to his high ranking position in the government. He had served as the presidential advisor and PR manager for every president since 1988, and was never questioned by the presidents who had come and gone. This year however was the beginning of a rash of “meta-human” incidents.

Teenage kids were causing earthquakes, albino men were blasting civilians, and all the while the people were looking at their president for answers. He was nervous fellow this president. He was born in a southern, republican family, and at times he found more fun in making fun of Lord’s British accent then he did in spending time with orphans. It didn’t help that he was a complete idiot either.

Today Lord had been asked by the president to check on the status of David Connor. The poor man had fled to the government in hopes of leaving his shady past, and he had unknowingly given them the weapon they needed to finally catch up with H.I.V.E.’s technology; the designs for a real super soldier.

Presently, Lord’s limo had arrived at the governmental facility that David Connor’s body was being stored in. The limo arrived at the entrance, and his assistant quickly opened the door for him. As they entered the building and made their way to Connor’s room, Maxwell was briefed on the situation by his latest assistant; a tall blonde woman with beautiful blue eyes.

“So who is this David Connor bloke?”

“According to the file we have on him sir, David Connor is an ex-S.T.A.R. Labs employee who started his own robotics company two years ago. Intel suggests that H.I.V.E. somehow figured out his plans for the E.R.A.D.I.C.A.T.O.R. model and contracted him to build it for them.”

“Eradicator?” Lord asked puzzled as they exited a hallway and entered an elevator.

“Yes sir, the E.R.A.D.I.C.A.T.O.R. model is the next in warfare. It’s composed of several different components that all come together to make it quite deadly.”

“Really? I don’t think the president would like that. No, I doubt that dolt would like that at all. What exactly are these parts that the Eradicator model is composed of?”

“There are three layers apparently. The first layer is a smart skin that’s bonded with the skin of the suit user. The smart skin gives the wearer an unparalleled resistance to injury and the elements. The second layer, is a cloak that-”

“Smart skin? Where in the nine hells would a robotics expert get smart skin? Indestructible smart skin at that.”

“We’re not sure at this time sir. It’s highly likely that this smart skin was made by H.I.V.E.’s own tech and then incorporated into the project itself. Admittedly it’s a good idea. The smart skin is thin enough to give the wearer more flexibility and s just a strong as most forms of metal, thus getting rid of the need for clunky armor.”

Lord rubbed his chin in deep thought. His assistant had only been working with him for two weeks and she had already learned that him rubbing his chin was a sign that he had a marketing scheme up his sleeve.

“Sir?” she asked nervously.

Lord stopped staring at the floor in deep thought and looked at her for the second time in two weeks. He rarely paid any attention to the useless interns that came into his services, but she was quite lovely.

“I had an idea, but continue on with the description. Excuse me if I knocked you off the topic.” he said politely as they stepped out of the elevator.

“Um…it’s ok.” she said somewhat blind-sided by his sudden courtesy.

“So about the cloak…” he said smiling.

“Yes, the second layer of the Eradicator model is a cloak. It covers the person completely, and is completely black. The cloak can hide the wearer from most forms of detection and is even bulletproof to boot. The cloak’s completely black looks helps keep it from being detectable in a dark environment.” she said busying herself in all the notes she acquired in her research.

“Hmmm. A super soldier with stealth components…”

The assistant, now regaining her composure, nodded, “Yes, the third layer is what really makes this weapon unique. The Eradicator model’s third layer is a Spartan helmet.”

“A helmet?”

“Yes, a Spartan helmet that provides the wearer with several forms of optical visualization. It possess thermal, electromagnetic, and even night vision. The helmet also contains anti-gravitational components that allow the Eradicator model to fly.”

Lord remained silent as the two made their way down the last leg of their trip. They entered David Connor’s hospital room and stood across from as medical technicians scrambled here and there to keep a check on his vital signs. Lord looked down on the scrawny man in awe.

“How…how strange to think that such a gaunt, little man could build such a device.”

The assistant nodded, “The Eradicator model is quite the weapon. What do you intend to do with it?”

“It’s in our hands now, and I doubt H.I.V.E. would have the audacity to admit to us that this model was in production. If they’re making weapons like this behind our backs, who knows what other machinations they’re scrambling to hide. With this little toy we finally have way to keep them in check. Hell, we could replace H.I.V.E. with these little toys.”

“So you plan to reverse engineer the Eradicator?”

“Of course.”

“But the model requires a human wearer. We don’t know enough about this weapon to properly prepare a training program for any volunteers-”
Lord looked down on David Connor’s comatose body and laughed out loud. Several medical technicians looked at him and then went back to work.

“We have a volunteer right here. David Connor will be the first person to test out the Eradicator.”

“But he’s comatose!”

“Then we’ll wake him up.”

“And the president? Don’t we need his clearance before we start making bio-technological weapons?”

Lord turned towards the assistant and looked her in the eye, “It’ll be our little secret.”

 

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

Freeze sees that the building has gone dark. He's here the question is where in the building.

"Computer link the bio-scan in with the auto-fire. Any bio-signs resembling Batman's fire the gun automatically in that direction," he says.

The computer replies, "Unable to comply with auto-fire command. Smoke in the area unable to get an accurate lock."

Freeze replies, "Very well continue with bio-scan and engage defensive suit code #1. If Batman tries to touch my suit he will be in for quite a shock."

The computer replies, "Confirmed."

All-right Batman I am here..come and meet your doom.

Letting go of the cables, I plunge deeper into the shaft, my cape spread. The lenses in my cowl are guiding me through the smoke. Taking a line from my belt, I throw it at the top of the shaft, feeling it snag something. Pulling, I swing into another floor of the building. Looking around, I don't see any sign of Fries.

Letting my cape fall around me, I walk through the building, careful with each step. It's hard to believe I walk these halls as Bruce Wayne during the day with little to no apparent hostility, yet I'm going down these same halls to potentially meet my doom. Ironic, in a sense.

...I need to just face it. Right now, My life is full of ironies.

As I slide across a wall, using my taught techniques for stealth, I look around the corner. And there, I see him. Freeze, wandering through the halls, gun aimed for a forward attack. Unfortune for him, considering I'm not attacking in that direction...

Taking a bola from my belt, I roll across the floor, tossing it at him. The wire is made of a steel coating... There's no way he can get out of it.

Then... I see something alot of people would consider to be impossible happen. The bola is flash frozen in mid-air, as it comes towards Freeze. It shatters across his armor like glass, as he turns around, alert. And I'm probably in view, at this point.

...Well. That's dandy. I step back into the smoke.

"It's over, Doctor Fries. I know why you're doing this... And believe me, I can understand your want to quench that pain. But this isn't the answer."

 

[MST3K 4ever]

(IC: Batman)



Letting go of the cables, I plunge deeper into the shaft, my cape spread. The lenses in my cowl are guiding me through the smoke. Taking a line from my belt, I throw it at the top of the shaft, feeling it snag something. Pulling, I swing into another floor of the building. Looking around, I don't see any sign of Fries.

Letting my cape fall around me, I walk through the building, careful with each step. It's hard to believe I walk these halls as Bruce Wayne during the day with little to no apparent hostility, yet I'm going down these same halls to potentially meet my doom. Ironic, in a sense.

...I need to just face it. Right now, My life is full of ironies.

As I slide across a wall, using my taught techniques for stealth, I look around the corner. And there, I see him. Freeze, wandering through the halls, gun aimed for a forward attack. Unfortune for him, considering I'm not attacking in that direction...

Taking a bola from my belt, I roll across the floor, tossing it at him. The wire is made of a steel coating... There's no way he can get out of it.

Then... I see something alot of people would consider to be impossible happen. The bola is flash frozen in mid-air, as it comes towards Freeze. It shatters across his armor like glass, as he turns around, alert. And I'm probably in view, at this point.

...Well. That's dandy. I step back into the smoke.

"It's over, Doctor Fries. I know why you're doing this... And believe me, I can understand your want to quench that pain. But this isn't the answer."

Mr. Freeze says, "That's Mr. Freeze Doctor Fries died with his wife Nora."

He begins looking around through the smoke to try and find Batman. Of all the things not to include I pick a thermograph device.

He continues, "Besides who are you to lecture about the right and wrong way of doing something. I am sure that you know great pain in your life and yet you choose become a vigilante. I do need to be lectured by a hypocrite such as yourself."

I cannot begin to just shoot blindly...who knows what other valuble equipment I could destroy.

Freeze says, "I'll make a deal with you Batman...allow me to leave after collecting some more equipment from this lab and I will not pursue any further vendeta against Bruce Wayne ever again. His technologies lab has more than attoned for his sins, and I see no reason to go after him any futher. Try to apprehend me and I swear everything that he holds sacred will be destroyed within 24 hours of my escape from custody."

 

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

Mr. Freeze says, "That's Mr. Freeze Doctor Fries died with his wife Nora."

He begins looking around through the smoke to try and find Batman. Of all the things not to include I pick a thermograph device.

Oh. Great. He's become as literal in his vendetta as I have.

I back away through the smoke, as he continues searching. If I forward with any attack, I'm as good as dead. Have to come up with something...

He continues, "Besides who are you to lecture about the right and wrong way of doing something. I am sure that you know great pain in your life and yet you choose become a vigilante. I do need to be lectured by a hypocrite such as yourself."

Hypocrite? I may work outside the law, but when the law is corrupted beyond the mere points of right and wrong, someone has to do something. What he's commited is blatant murder... It's not a matter of hypocracy. It's a matter of life and death.

Of course, I don't say any of this. I should, but I won't. Have to keep up my element of stealth... Otherwise I can't help him, or anyone, for that matter.

Freeze says, "I'll make a deal with you Batman...allow me to leave after collecting some more equipment from this lab and I will not pursue any further vendeta against Bruce Wayne ever again. His technologies lab has more than attoned for his sins, and I see no reason to go after him any futher. Try to apprehend me and I swear everything that he holds sacred will be destroyed within 24 hours of my escape from custody."

I clench my fists. In his 'deal' that he's chosen to try and sway me with, He's threatened everything I hold dear. I think of Alfred... Lucius... My company... My father's legacy... Everything. Everything I have.

And not only that... But even if I were to accept his offer, it would only mean more chaos and destruction for Gotham. More lives taken. And regardless, I'd be forced to act in any capacity. It isn't a winning situation for me, regardless of my choice.

No deal.

"I'm sorry. But I can't accept that."

I continue backing away, trying to make my voice come from all directions of the room as best as I can. I've been trained in many art forms... Ventriloquism was, unfortunatley, not one of them.

"You think the only reason I'm going after you is because of Wayne? You're mistaken. The reason I'm opposing you is because of what sets us both apart. Death. You've taken countless lives in your vendetta for your wife. Even if I were to accept your offer, You'd only continue to murder."

I stop, unafraid.

"Is that really how you want to honor the memory of Nora? You both worked so hard to preserve the earth. Yet in your quest, you've only taken what she held dear. And she wasn't the only one... You yourself once believed in the benefit of mankind. So ask yourself something..."

I don't even realise what I'm doing. But someone has to talk some sense into him.

"You've killed to heal your own thirst for vengeance. But what about Nora? If she saw you now... What you were doing... Would she condone your merciless quest to destroy everything she valued?"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

(IC: Batman)

[/COLOR][/FONT]

Oh. Great. He's become as literal in his vendetta as I have.

I back away through the smoke, as he continues searching. If I forward with any attack, I'm as good as dead. Have to come up with something...

[/COLOR][/FONT][/FONT]

Hypocrite? I may work outside the law, but when the law is corrupted beyond the mere points of right and wrong, someone has to do something. What he's commited is blatant murder... It's not a matter of hypocracy. It's a matter of life and death.

Of course, I don't say any of this. I should, but I won't. Have to keep up my element of stealth... Otherwise I can't help him, or anyone, for that matter.



I clench my fists. In his 'deal' that he's chosen to try and sway me with, He's threatened everything I hold dear. I think of Alfred... Lucius... My company... My father's legacy... Everything. Everything I have.

And not only that... But even if I were to accept his offer, it would only mean more chaos and destruction for Gotham. More lives taken. And regardless, I'd be forced to act in any capacity. It isn't a winning situation for me, regardless of my choice.

No deal.

"I'm sorry. But I can't accept that."

I continue backing away, trying to make my voice come from all directions of the room as best as I can. I've been trained in many art forms... Ventriloquism was, unfortunatley, not one of them.

"You think the only reason I'm going after you is because of Wayne? You're mistaken. The reason I'm opposing you is because of what sets us both apart. Death. You've taken countless lives in your vendetta for your wife. Even if I were to accept your offer, You'd only continue to murder."

I stop, unafraid.

"Is that really how you want to honor the memory of Nora? You both worked so hard to preserve the earth. Yet in your quest, you've only taken what she held dear. And she wasn't the only one... You yourself once believed in the benefit of mankind. So ask yourself something..."

I don't even realise what I'm doing. But someone has to talk some sense into him.

"You've killed to heal your own thirst for vengeance. But what about Nora? If she saw you now... What you were doing... Would she condone your merciless quest to destroy everything she valued?"

Freeze shuders at the mention of his wife's name.

Freeze finally in a rare show of emotion screams, "HOW DARE YOU INVOKE HER NAME TO ME!" and begins firing blindly in all directionsFRAKSHA!!!! screaming, "DIE YOU BA*****!!!! DIE!!!! "

He then sees his reflection in the a block of ice. His earlier encounter with Ben Carlson comes back and Batman's speech begins to ring in his ears.

Mr. Freeze throws his gun against a wall and then drops to his knees. He then says, "Computer deactivate all defensive measures. Authorization #0001 password: Beloved Nora."

The suit replies, "Confirmed"

Freeze looks around and says, "Batman" He holds up his hands and says, "I surrender, but know this there will come a day when that trick will not work, and woe to all when that happens, but for now the monster is at rest."

He bows his head and closes his eyes...and feels one single tear roll down his cheek.

 

[Batman]

(IC: Batman)

Freeze shuders at the mention of his wife's name. How dare he invoke my wife's name.

Freeze finally in a rare show of emotion screams, "HOW DARE YOU INVOKE HER NAME TO ME!" and begins firing blindly in all directionsFRAKSHA!!!! screaming, "DIE YOU BA*****!!!! DIE!!!!

He then sees his reflection in the a block of ice. His earlier encounter with Ben Carlson comes back and Batman's speech begins to ring in his ears.

Mr. Freeze throws his gun against a wall and then drops to his knees. He then says, "Computer deactivate all defensive measures. Authorization #0001 password: Beloved Nora."

The suit replies, "Confirmed"

Freeze looks around and says, "Batman" He holds up his hands and says, "I surrender, but know this there will come a day when that trick will not work, and woe to all when that happens, but for now the monster is at rest."

He bows his head and closes his eyes...and feels one single tear roll down his cheek.

I rip a small section of my cape from an ice block that he fired during his tantrum, and walk through the smoke as he deactivates all of his weapons.

For once, I don't look at Freeze as a monster. I look at him for what he truly is. A victim in all of this. I undo a pockey of my belt, taking out a pair of titanium cuffs that I had designed in earlier weeks.

"Whether that day comes or not, Freeze..."

I snap the cuffs onto his hands. I've never had such mixed emotions about something like this... One one hand, I know I have to. On the other... I don't think he needs punishment. I think he needs help.

"...You made the right choice."

I turn, hearing the oncoming sirens. Taking my grapnel, I fire at one of the frozen windows, shattering it easily. Running to the window, I leap, spreading my cape as the wind picks it up. I feel the air hit me as I begin gliding over the city.

Freeze saw the monster in him. He realised his quest for vengeance wasn't the nessacary method to try and seek justice for what happened to him, and his wife.

I look down at the Bat-shaped shadow that I cast among the rooftops.

...Will I ever see the monster in me? Maybe. Maybe not. But all I know is that one day... I won't have to. If there are more nights like this... If I can make that much of a difference in other people aswell...

Maybe this war will end sooner than I thought.

 

[Nightwing 52]

I put my hands on my hips.

“Oh so you don’t normally lie to the girl?”

He grabs my hand and leads me to the back of the boat.
"Come with me."

Darn it! I should be down there where the action is not with some handsome, suave, intelle….

This is NOT happening! I’m a grown girl of 20. I’m old for my age, mature. I own my own detective agency while most girls my age are still giggling at sorority houses over frat boys. I can disarm a man in under 10 seconds. I can even take their guns away. Yet here I am totally taken off guard and following a complete stranger around while Superman, the foremost ‘new hero’ in the United States is getting blown up with rockets not two hundred yards away.

"Alright, what I told you wasn't the least bit of the rest you already know. Not only am I not friends with Luthor, I'm not even a guest at this little gathering of his. In fact, I hate his guts...I snuck my way on here, and took someone else's suit and tie. But trust me, I didn't expect to meet someone like yourself."


He’s got that star struck look on his face, more than a little dreamy. He doesn’t honestly think I’m going to lean over and kiss him like that couple down there. I glance out of the corner of my eye. Superman had taken the robotic suit down and the residual screams of the party guests had died down, now there was only muted yelling as people demanded to know what happened. What looked like two reporters were down at the scene. Where I should be but…

I look back to Roy.


"Y'now, if the night had continued to go on before this whole disaster, I WAS going to tell you at some point. Probably after we got to know eachother a little better, not after or before I slept with you cause that isn't the case."

I open my mouth to throw him a witty retort.

“Dinah!” I turn at the sound of foot steps as Josh charges towards me, Helena following close behind, her hand on Josh’s arm.

“Dinah, are you alright?” She brushes past Josh and grabs my hands somehow slipping between Roy and I.

“I am so sorry. So sorry I didn’t..”

She’s sorry? Oh geez..does she always have to come off as the ‘nice’ one?

I hold my hand up quickly, her breathes are coming short and quick and of all of us I think she’s the one more in shock.
“Helena it’s okay.” I grab her arm and look her right in the eyes smiling gently.
“It’s alright”

I look up and see Josh staring down Roy, his older brother protective mode kicking in like second nature. even though it was. Truth is I’ve never had a boyfriend and any guys that were even remotely interested I either brush off or broke their nose.

“Oh..um…Roy this is my brother and his fiancé, Josh and Helena. Josh and Helena this is Roy.”

Josh nods briskly before turning his back and placing his hand on Helena’s shoulder guiding her away.

“We should go.” Helena walks quietly away and Josh lingers for a moment.
“All of us.” He says softly before putting his arm around Helena and leading her away.

I roll my eyes. Yes..protect Helena…worry about Helena….

I turn back to Roy, fumbling for words. My self-confidence going from a young woman with a business to a 13 year old girl with braces.

“Well, that was exciting…” I smile and make an awkward motion.

“I’d better go.”

Dinah had me cornered the whole entire time, which is odd considering all the women I've been with has never accomplished that task. But with her, it was like everytime I had a backup plan, she was already two steps ahead of me. Like I said before, my own arrow stabbed in my back....

Her older brother walks up to me, giving a negative look as if I was doing something to her that I wasn't suppoed to do. Which wasn't my intention at all. But I could'nt help asking myself, what in the world was he looking at? He stared me down as I glanced up back at him, no hesitation and watched him walk away with his future wife in hand. Atleast I would've add the decency to shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Joshy boy...." I say, almost loudly for him to hear. But not loud enough.

Dammit. Dinah had to leave soon, and I had to think of something quick. I knew I screwed everything up when I revealed myself, but I hoped that there would be a future for a second chance. Maybe we'll cross paths again, right now though, the night seems to be coming to an end.

I turn around and take a deep breath. I saw from the corner of my eye that she was a bit curious as to what I was doing. Oh hell, with it Harper, just go for it!!

I turned back and held her by the waist, then kissed her. Which I admit, is the one thing I've wanted to do since I met her this evening. I was always told when I was young that if I was going to go out, make sure it'd be with a bang. I let go, then looked into her eyes.

"I know we started off well when the night began, and again I'm sorry I had to screw it all up. You can say I'm a hero/high payed assassin, but you already knew that, heh. So don't be suprised if you read about me in the papers. Goodbye prettybird, and take care of yourself."

I walked to the edge of the boat, but faced toward her as she looked at me in shock. I grinned one last time then winked, and after is when I jumped off the boat and began swimming as fast as I could. You know I'm not always a "business before pleasure" type of guy. But for tonight, I think I can make an acceptance. Now it was time to get back to basics.....