The "Ultimate DC" RPG

Blue Valley, Nebraska:

The sun is really getting to me. It's one of the craziest heat waves in the history of Blue Valley and it has to be while I'm here. Then again, it seems like I'll be here forever.

It's around noon, and me and the boys, we're pretty hungry. Whenever we're hugry, we go to Joe's. Joe's a nice old man, really respected by the townspeople. He opened up a restaraunt on the corner of Lemon and Orange like fifty years back. He claims its a pillar of the town. I agree with him.

The bell jingles as me, Mikey, and Cole enter through the door. I hold my basbeball mitt in one hand and a ball inside it. We've just got done playing, and I need a coke to get my body working again.

"I'll take a coke and a burger," I said to Joe at the register.

"The usual?" Joe asks me. I nudge my glasses up my nose yet again and I nod. "Never one for change, are ya Red?" At the sound of that nickname, I brush my hair away from my face. It's not easy being the redhead kid in a small town all your life.

Cole and Mikey order and we sit down at a nearby table. As I begin to bite into my burger, the jingle of the bells warn me of the new customer.

Deputy Kingsbeard. He's a tall, built man with a moustache and a gun prominently placed in his holster. He always wears his shades, even indoors. Believe me, I've met him before, and it was the same thing inside town hall in the dead of winter. The guy, to tell you the truth, he scares me. I can never tell what he's thinking. Yeah, that scares me bad.

"Three burgers and four cokes," Kingsbeard told Joe. He didn't even ask, he told.

"Awrite," says Joe, handing the food to him. Joe looks down to calculate the total. "That'll be..." By that time, the bell jingles again, and Kingsbeard is out the door. "Um, $17."

Joe doesn't do anything. He never has, he never will. Some people take advantage of other people's niceness. Cole notices this and he walks out of Joe's and leaves his food behind. Cole's the resident track star of the town, won two gold medals in regionals. He's just that damn good.

Mikey chomps on his burger as I run after Cole who's run after the Deputy. I grab my bat and with a jingle, I'm outside.

Cole approaches Deputy from behind. "Sir, I think you forgot to pay..." Cole begins to say. Kingsbeard stops and Cole runs up to him. With extreme precision, Deputy's elbow whips back and hits Cole's nose.

"What do you mean? I paid," said Deputy, through his dark shades, Cole's nose bleeding. He clutched his nose and knelt on the ground.

I see it and I run to the scene, as fast as I can. I see Deputy kick Cole to the ground. I see him take off his shades. I swing at Deputy with a bsaeball bat but he dodges it and swings at me. It connects at my throat and I crumpled to the ground.

"Silly boy," said Deputy. He turns to Cole, writhing on the ground. He takes off his shades and I see his eyes as he steps on Cole's knee. Cole tries to get his foot off from him but no avail.

POP! Goes the sound of Cole's knee. "Pop goes the weasel," Deputy says. I cough up blood and grab my bat. Deputy's too busy seeing Cole in pain, that sadist, that he doesn't see my bat going for his head.

He hits the ground and I hit him in the side. I hit him in the nuts and I hit him in the head again.

I cough up a bit more blood and I stand over his unconscious form with my bat in hand.

"The name's Wally West, sir. Hope you go to hell."

I faint, a combination of the heat, the injuries I've sustained, and the beating I laid on him. I hit the dirt and I fade to black.

I f**ckin hate cops.
 
Focuse, Arturr... Focuse. One strike. That’s all you need.

Arturr tried to calm himself down as he stood in the middle of the arena, under the watchful eyes of a screaming public. The only set of eyes that mattered to him, however, was his father’s. King Orin stood high on the royal balcony, along with Atlanna, Arturr’s mother, and General Orm, his uncle.

This was very important to him. Arturr had proven his worth time and time again, but he never got any respect for it. To everyone he was just daddy’s little boy, having his way made easier because of who he was. But this... This was different.

Not every Atlantean has what it takes to go face to face with a Lemurian beast. Fierce creatures, they are. Bloodthirsty as they come. Orin tried to talk Arturr out of it for a moment, but the boy insisted. Having just crossed the line from boy to man, this being his twentieth birthday, he wanted to prove the kind of man he was.

Atlanna, however, didn’t seem as proud of it as Orin and Orm did. Arturr’s mother was worried, but far from proud, as she didn’t think killing was exactly something to be proud of. She did understand the meaning of the tradition, even though she didn’t agree with it.

And so, Arturr waited, his eyes fixed on the gate, as it slowly opened and the crowd went wild. Slowly at first, but flung open as the beast slammed it with its own head. It roared, very loudly, until it saw Arturr standing there. The second it charged, Arturr raised his sword next to his head, trying to aim the blade as best he could. He waited, just for the right moment. As the beast came closer, Arturr became more and more certain he could pull this off.

Finally, when the beast was inches from the young man, he struck the beast with the sword, right between the eyes. One strike. That’s all he needed. And the beast was down.

Arturr panted, staring at the felled creature, as the audience cheered at the bloodbath. Atlanna breathed a sigh of relief, as Orin, proud not only of his son but also of himself, and Orm, cheered the prince on.

Later

A feast was held in honor of Arturr’s triumph. A very long table filled with the most important citizens of Atlantis, including members of the High Council, sorcerers and Orm’s Colonel, Nur. Orin sat at the head of the table, with Atlanna to his left and Arturr to his right. Next to Arturr, sat his uncle Orm, somewhat innebriated at that point.

"So, my boy... Now that you are a man, we have to make it official. We have to get you a fine Atlantean woman." Orm laughed, along with his comrades. Orin smiled. "Now now, Orm, let's not push my son too hard." This was a nice change of pace for Arturr. It was as if they were just like any other family, with no worries about politics, or the problems the kingdom's facing. It felt good.

Suddenly, as Arturr started to get distracted as he stared at a young redheaded handmaiden, his father called the attention from all to himself. "Now, my beloved ladies... Distinguished gentlemen... Today is a day of joy. My Arturr has finally become a man. He has proven himself a worthy warrior, and a worthier prince." As the words came, Arturr felt like he never had before. Like things just couldn't get any better. But then they did. "And so, my son, in this, your twentieth birthday, I give to you... This." Orin extended his hand, and a servant handed him a beautifully crafted trident, as if built by the gods themselves.

"This, they say, was crafted by Poseidon himself. A perfect weapon, made out of pure orichalcum. It belonged to the gods, it belonged to my father, and now it belongs to you." Orin said, as all seated at the table looked and whispered to each other in awe. Arturr couldn't believe it. He stood up slowly and felt his hand shaking as his father handed him the amazing piece of weaponry. Arturr could actually feel the power contained in the trident in his hand.

“Imagine when you join the army, Arturr...” said Orm “The enemy will cower before the might of Poseidon’s weapon.” Orin was confused. “The army?”, he asked. Arturr immediately knew what was coming. He didn’t know exactly how to answer his father’s question in a way that wouldn’t upset him. Probably because there wasn’t any.

“Uh... Uncle Orm and I talked about it. I’d like to serve some time in the army.” Arturr explained, hesitantly. “He would serve directly under me. He wouldn’t be in any danger, brother.” Orm added. As predicted, Orin wasn’t pleased.

“Leave... All of you. Dinner is over.” the king ordered, very calm. He was instantly obeyed, as the guests slowly stood up and left. “Orm, you stay.” The general turned to his nephew as he exited. Arturr looked back at his uncle, then his father. He knew very well what was about to happen.

The doors closed behind Arturr as his father and uncle started talking. He stood there for a moment. “Arturr, are you coming?” his mother asked. Without even looking back at her, he answered “No, I want to stay alone for a while.” Atlanna nodded, understanding what he was going through.

Arturr walked away from the door, in the opposite side of where the guests and his mother went. Trident in hand, Arturr seemed more regal than ever, despite the sad look on his face. His father and uncle were once again themselves. Fighting over politics. Over what’s best for Atlantis.

But then it hit him. He was a man now. He was prince. If any discussions about the future of Atlantis were being held, it concerned him. Arturr turned back, determined to stand his ground. He arrived before the dining room, where he could still hear Orin and Orm discussing. He ordered the guards to leave, and so they did. Arturr didn’t look so determined now. His father and uncle were very imposing men. The prince only hoped he could be up to this particular challenge. The discussion inside was heated. Accusations being thrown back and forth. Arturr started to feel something terrible was about to happen.

“If you won’t do what’s best for the kingdom, I’ll have to do it for you!” Orm said. And, all of a sudden, all was silent. Arturr knew. He knew what was happening. And his worst fears were realised when he opened the door to find his uncle Orm stabbing his father in the back. Arturr didn’t know what to do. He stood there, watching as his uncle, who acted very much like a father to him, took the life of his true father, with a look of pleasure on his face no less.

Orm took the knife out of Orin, who fell, already lifeless. Orm turned, and was shocked to see young Arturr witnessing the treason that was taking place. “Arturr... Wait. You have to understand. I’m doing this for all of us.” He tried. But he wasn’t successful, Arturr raised the trident and aimed it at his uncle. “Arturr, wait. You don’t want to do this.”

“You taught me how to kill, uncle. Be proud of me now.” Arturr discharged the power of the trident for the first time into Orm, but not before the traitor got a chance to call the guards. Arturr, who had once again that determined look in his eyes, approached an injured Orm, and was ready to kill his uncle when five guards finally arrived. Upon seeing them, Orm knew what to do. “Stop him!! He killed the king and how he’s going to kill me!”

At that moment, Arturr froze. Everything was... Wrong. “Give up, son. It’s over.” Orm said, very pleased. “I am not your son.” Arturr said, before knocking Orm out. That very moment, the guards charged, ready to take the prince, and as far as they knew, the traitor, down. But going through was easy enough, thanks to Arturr’s new toy.

One blast divided into five, one hitting each guard. And they were out of the picture. Arturr ran, knowing full well what was to take place. It was intriguing. Since the moment he held that trident, it was as if his whole perception of the world around him had changed. He didn’t know exactly the meaning of what was going through his head. It took some getting used to.

Right now, though, he only had one thing through his mind: he had to get to his mother. His uncle would probably go after her next. Arturr walked in the shadows, trying his best to avoid detection. There was commotion whereever he went. The word was out. He was a wanted man.
 
The van pulls up just about a block away from the main-gate at Jon Walker's estate. Freeze stared out at the gate. Soon my vengence will begin...so very soon I will stop the heartbeat of the man who killed my Nora.

He looks at his men in the van and says, "Let's go." The men put on various disguises and Freeze climbs in a large crate. Carl drives the van to the front gate and stops. A guard walks out and says, "Can I help you gentlemen?" Carl says, "Yeah we gotta an emergency priority one shipment for Mr. Walker from the offices in Metropolis" Carl hands the guard a manifest form that Freeze had stolen the last time he broke into Walker Industries. It has all the correct markings and signatures on it as well. The guard studies the sheet and makes a phone call to the main-house. He hangs up the phone and says, "All-right pull up to the back of the main house there will be someone there to help you guys out. Try not to distrub the front part of the house there's a big party going on right now" Carl says, "Got it."

The van drives up to the back of the main house there are 2 guards who walk over to the van as the other four men climb out. The two guards try to lift the crate and one of them asks, "What do you guys have in here anyway?" Suddenly Freeze breaks through the top of the box FRAKSHA!!!!and with that chilling sound the 2 guards are frozen solid.

The four henchmen are stunned silent. They had never actually seen Freeze use his gun on anyone before and they are just stairing at the now two frozen corpses. Freeze says, "Come on. We have a lot to do and not a lot of time either." The henchmen are still stunned and Freeze says, "or would you four care to join them?" The henchmen snap to and follow Freeze. Freeze sees the phone box outside and freezes it.

They walk into the kitchen and the staff understandably panics at the sight of four men armed with automatic weapons and a large man in a suit that is a cross between Robocop & the Tin man. The four henchmen break into the main room and begin firing into the air while Freeze waits in the kitchen. Carl yells, ALL RIGHT THIS IS A HOLD UP HAND OVER ALL YOUR VALUBLES INCLUDING CELL-PHONES AND NO ONE WILL BE HURT.Except for you Mr. Walker." Jon Walker steps forward says, "What are you all doing here? Do you know who I am?" With that Freeze emerges from the kitchen and says, "I know you all to well Walker. All to well." FRAKSHA!!!!He freezes Walker's legs. Walker falls to the ground screaming as the henchmen begin collecting various valubles. Freeze walks over to him and says, "The eyes of vengence are upon you Walker, and the day has come for you to answer for the crime of death. Your lack of co-operation concering my wife sentenced her to death." Walker studies Freeze for a moment and says, "Oh my...it's you Dr. Victor Friez." Freeze responds, "That man is dead now...there is only Mr. Freeze." Walker says, "Victor please I was only doing what was right for the company. I did what I felt was the best thing for all involved. Your work and research were raising issues that humanity is not ready to deal with yet. I thought I was doing you a favor by not pressing charges against you. Out of respect for your wife's condition. Had you followed through on your experiments you could've done far more damage to your wife. Do you think you could live with that?" Freeze replies, "Do you think I can live with it now? You also black-balled me I couldn't even get a job in an animal testing lab. You destroyed everything that was dear to me and so now it is time for you to suffer the same fate." FRAKSHA!!!!Freeze freezes Walker's chest and Walker is now gasping for air as Freeze says, "Now you know how my wife felt on her last days. Begging me to do something to ease her suffering. I could do nothing! In your case however I can." FRAKSHA!!!! He freezes Walker's head and he stares at it for a moment as though he is studying a rare butterfly. He turns away and calls to his men,"Back to the van. Now!" The henchmen head for the exits as Walker's party guests frantically try to melt and break the ice from him. Freeze says, "By the time you get to him he'll be dead."

Freeze and his men pile into the van and speed away as they hear the police sirens in the distance. Carl manages to lose the police on a back road. Freeze and his men abandon the van for another way. James gathers all of the materials out of the van and plants a bomb inside of it. They drive off in the other van as their first van explodes.

Freeze sits quietly back in the hide-out as the men divide up the valuables. It is now done...Walker is dead, but there are others like him. Who think they have all of the control and power over life and death...I will show them what true power is...they will all pay...and anyone who opposes me...they will all die in cold and unforgving ice....so swears Mr. Freeze.
 
Fawcett City:

It streaks through the sky. Flames burning on one side, it kilts towards the ground, picking up speed. The engine has blown out.

I can see it from here, standing on top of Sivana Tower. What was it the old man said?

‘Gotta be a symbol squirt… gotta show them there’s still good in the world. When you show yourself, make it a grand entrance,’

Well this is as grand as they come… I can’t believe I just used the word ‘grand’ in a sentence. Sound like I’m freaking sixty or something.

I look up into the night sky again, and I say it. I say the word that I just love to hear.

“Shazam”

A bolt of lightning, straight down, hits me square on the chest. And it tickles. My body changes, controrts as the muscles expand.

My clothes change. My ‘Clash’ t-shirt turns into the top half of my uniform; a Crimson jumpsuit (for lack of a better word), with a yellow lightning bolt across my chest.

The blue cape just makes me look so cool.

I jump into the air, and I fly. I fricking fly! I head straight for the plane, which in the time its taken me to change has grown a little closer to the ground.

I zoom up to the plane so fast its not even funny… that Flash guy who’s all over the news might be the only guy as fast as me right now. That’s what being given Mercury’s speed does for you.

I position myself under the flaming engine. The stamina of Atlas allows me to withstand the heat. I look forward, the plane itself is heading for Sivana Tower; flying so fast and close has knocked into a different direction.

Damn.

Stupid aerodynamics and laws of physics. How the hell am I meant to know that was gonna happen?

I stop wasting my time thinking about that, and I reposition myself under the planes fuselage and using the strength of Hercules, I take control of the planes tragectory.

Great.

Now what?

Wait… wisdom of Solomon! Wait… crap. If I’d used that in the first place I could have probably avoided this… screw it.

Using the wisdom I push the plane up, not too fast as to rip it in two, but fast enough to just avoid the tower.

I begin to turn it back towards the airport, and fly towards the landing strip that is lit up with fire engines and ambulances… probably awaiting the crash that was going to happen before I showed up.

I take the plane down. On the ground there are reporters everywhere. They were expecting to cover a massacre.

I can see what Mr. Shazam meant. Humanity is in need of saving.

Right after I get my publicity.



As I fly up from landing the plane, I can hear the press yelling and shouting as the camera’s flash off at me. I make out one question;

“Vic Sage, Hub City News… who are you?”

I smile. I look at the crowd, who are in awe of me.

“I’m you’re new saviour,” I begin. “I’m Captain Marvel,”

The camera’s flash again, and more questions get yelled out. Can’t make these ones out.

“All you need to know is that if there’s trouble, I’ll be here. Cos I’m a hero. And that’s what heroes do,”

And with that I shoot off into the sky. Hope the old man liked it.



The Rock of Ages:

The old man looks at his 36 inch plasma HDTV as the news broadcast hits the screens.

‘Amazingly, this teenager called himself a saviour, even though analists have theorised with almost a 97 percent conclusive solution that he himself was responsible for the planes near miss with Sivana Tower. If he hadn’t have interfered the projections are that the fire crew would have been able to insure limited casualties.’

Shazam closes his eyes in disapointment.

‘Here is one of the passengers reactions to todays events;

“Cocky white boy comes out of the sky, and grabs the plane… he gives a brother whiplash! I’m gonna get Jesse, and we’re gonna march on this guy’s ass!”

Mr Sivana was unavailable for comment in relation to tonights events, but did say he would compensate the passengers for any personal injury’s sustained.’

Shazam sighs as he grabs a beer.

‘Captain Marvel, the Fawcett city boy blunder, is on the lips of everyone tonight!’

Cracking open the top he takes a swig.

“God damn kid…”
 
Clark walks into the Daily Planet newsroom. As he does, he can here Lois screaming almost instantly.

"A TERRORIST ATACK?!?!?!"

Didn't need super hearing to hear that.

He walks over to Lois, who's yelling at Perry.

"Perry, I've got over two dozeb eye witnesses saying they saw this 'Superman' thing fighting a seven foot tall KISS reject on steroids."

"Yeah. But the official report is...."

"...that the terrorist organization known as H.I.V.E. planted explosives over the city, ending with an EMP meant to knock out the electronic systems. I heard. It's bull. Everyone knows that the major systems in Metropolis were designed to take EMPs. And the eyewitnesses...."

"...were all under extreme emotional duress at the time. A good chunk of them were only partially conscious during the whole thing. We don't have enough to go on. Unless something more turns up, I'm not going to here another word about this 'Superman' thing. Alright?"

"Fine."

"Good."

Perry walks back into his office. Lois turns around, grabs her bag, and grabs ahold of Clark's arm.

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"The press junket at Lexcorp. Might aswell uncover some truthes today."

Clark and Lois head into the elavator.
 
Conner awoke the next morning to find his parents long gone. When his father had mentioned leaving town on a case. He knew he’d leave early, but not that early. A few moments later he located his cell phone. It took Chloe five rings to answer, and Conner could hear a male voice on the other end.

“Chloe what’s going on?”

“Hey Conner, I’m at Lexcorp’s press room. They’re preparing for the press junket this afternoon. I came here early to interview Don.”

“Aww, crap. I should be there early!”

“Don’t worry, Don and Hank have been doing a good job of managing things. I really like this card board cut out of you…”
“Oh dear god…I’ll be there very soon. Don’t let them do anything outrageous. You have my blessing to stop any potential mishaps.”
“Everything will be fine. Grab a bite to eat and meet us here.”
“ Okay.”

Conner quickly found his best suit in the back of his junk filled closet. It was one that Lex had given him as a gift. He ironed it out and found that it still fit comfortably after two years. He grabbed a slice of two day old pizza (something Lexcorp and his parents would frown on) and left the house.

* * * * * *

The ride to Lexcorp involved little fan fare, and everything seemed to be perfect. Until he arrived at his destination: Lexcorp’s conference room. Chairs had been lined up into five rows of eight chairs. There was a long red carpet that helped form an aisle in between the rows separating the seating into two sections.

At the very fore front of the conference was a long table with at least eight microphones. In front of each microphone was a name, indicating the seating arrangement. Conner couldn’t see the names from the entrance though. There weren’t any card board cut-outs so Chloe (or Mercy) was doing her job.

“Conner Jones? Oh..my..goooood! You have grown so big, and sexy!” said a female voice from behind.

Conner knew that voice anywhere. It was the voice of Speed 3’s main actress. The woman who had her own reality show for two months before protests and an eventual cancellation. The very same woman who had Conner appear on her short-lived reality show immediately after his Oprah and Dr. Phil appearance.

“Elizabeth Kane?”

“The one and only! How are you?”

Elizabeth had a flair for dramatics. Conner knew that if he turned around he wouldn’t like what he saw. However he a had TV series in the works himself and the last thing he needed was to have her bad mouth him. Putting on his game face, Conner turned around.


“Wha-?”

“Stunned I see. Well don’t be I’ve been a gymnast for years! It was only a matter of time before I put that to good use!”

Conner tried to form a coherent phrase, but no words would come. This was a youth group, so why she dressed in a costume? Was everyone else dressed in a costume? Was he going to have to wear a costume?

Better dragged an awed Conner out of the press room and into another room down the main hall of Lexcorp’s first floor. Inside the room Conner’s fears were realized. Don had shaved his head and was wearing a blue and white jumpsuit with a dove on the back. Hank had a matching red and black jumpsuit with a hawk on the back.

Over in one corner a group of bikers were huddled around a chair. Conner could make out a person in the chair, but the bikers were too huddled close together for him to get a good look. Chloe was interviewing Don as she had mentioned earlier.
Bette dragged Conner over to Hank.

“The man of the hour is here!” she said in her unusually hgh pitch.

“Hey, you bum! Don here had to plan out the whole thing while you were busy with some publicity stunt! Where’s your costume?”

“Why would I wear a costume? We’re a youth group. We’re supposed to inspire kids, not fight crime! We’re more like the Wiggles than a police force!”

One of the bikers walked up to Conner and punched him in the shoulder. Hard. He let out a small cry before hitting the ground.

“Shut up! Don’t you see that we’re in the middle of something over there? We need to get Duel over her hangover fast. She was up all night at the Menagerie, and you’re screaming ain’t helping things.” she whispered in his ear.

Conner’s eye widened in fear. It was okay to take control of the recruiting drive because Conner didn’t want to anyway. It was okay to turn this into a “super” group and invite Bette, the media ****e. Duela Dent was when he crossed the line.

Duela was Conner’s only fling within the last six months and she was joy ride start to finish. She only wore clothing that showed her thighs, and constantly dyed her hair green. She drank 24/7 and the only time she didn’t have a drink on her was when she was performing with her band The Big Top (and that was if it was a cool gig). Conner broke it off when she snuck a bottle of whiskey into his gym bag and he got kicked off Metropolis High’s basketball team. Needless to say her appearance here wasn’t helping things.
One of Mercy’s assistants appeared in the doorway with a clipboard in hand.

“Young Justice is needed in the conference room most of the press has arrived and we want to be ready to start at 11:00 as planned.”

The assistant left quietly and Bette followed quickly back to the press room. Hank promptly groomed himself and then left. Two of Duela’s biker bodyguards helped her out of the room. Her head was hanging low and her steps were very clumsy. She brushed some of her long green out of her face and cracked a smile at Conner.

“Hey Mr. Straight-laced, looking sexy as usual! Why don’t you ever come to my gigs anymore?”

The tattooed woman came to Conner’s rescue and hurried Duela out of the room. She now had a cup of coffee in one hand and some pills in the other. Conner felt sorry for her because he once had to “sober” up Duela himself (not that anyone could keep her sober for longer than an hour, at best).

Don and Chloe were the last ones to leave. They were the only ones to notice that Conner was still on the floor. Don helped him up while Chloe brushed lent off his suit.

“God, how rude of that chick!”

Don nodded in agreement, “ She seemed awfully high-strung for her age. Even more so than Cruela.”

“Duela,” Conner corrected “, I’m not familiar with her new bodyguards, but me and her used to be an item.”

Don gave Conner a surprised look.

“Don’t worry, they’re history now. Conner would never think about hooking up with her.”

“How was the interview?”

“After convincing Hank to get rid of the crazy decorations and food catering, I was able to get a few minutes with Dove here. He’s pretty cool when you get to know him.”

“Dove?”

Don blushed and looked down shyly. He waved goodbye to Chloe and then hurried out the door.

“I’ll explain myself at the press junket.” he called back to them.

Conner and Chloe were now the only ones left. They smiled and Conner held out his arm.

“Shall we, Ms. Sullivan?”

“Of course.”

Chloe grabbed Conner’s arm and walked him to the press room. Chloe found a seat in the back , and Conner then made his way to his spot at the table; which was tactically placed farthest to the left away from Duela and Bette, who were on the very right. Don was closest to him, with Hank and his ego in the center. Conner thanked every god (and Chloe) while secretaries and Lexcorp employees checked the microphones and handed out water.
 
(IC: Bruce Wayne)

It's been hours. Infact, it's nearly three and the morning. We've been keeping eachother company ever since. Talking, laughing, kissing... Things that I'm not used to. But with her, it seems so natural. She's a professional at this, being a reporter... I could actually learn something.

By this time, we both agree it's time we said goodnight. It's beginning to rain... She needs to get home... I need to get into the city... We're both occupied. We stand at the doorway of Wayne Manor, sharing a kiss. As we break, I look at her.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?"

"It's okay. I know you're busy, with the office... You need to get some rest. And I need to go by the Globe first, before I go home. Have to file a report on one of the sightings of that... "Batman", thing, they're talking about.", She replies.

I casually look away, after hearing that.

"So... He is real?"

She smiles.

"Don't put much into it. I'm sure it's just a street rumor... Nothing more. But even if it is a rumor, it's news, so..."

"Of course."

She turns around, but stops, looking back at me.

"Should I call tommorow? I mean... I don't want this to be the last time I see you, after all." She says, with a smirk. "That'd be a pretty bad way to start a relationship."

I smile. I think, actually, this is the most I've smiled in years. Not because I was inable... But because I didn't exactly have anything to smile about, these past few years.

"Well... I'm going to be in the office all day tommorow. You may not get through."

I stop, remembering something.

"...But... There is something we can do. You see, I'm attending a fundraiser at the Gotham Museum on Sunday. Maybe... You and I could go together?", I ask.

She nods.

"That sounds fine."

"Great. I'll call you that morning... I'm off."

We both share a smile.

"So... Are goodnights in order?"

I lean forward, as we share one final, passionate kiss. I look at her, as we break.

"I figured we'd end tonight on a different note."

She nods.

"I'm certainly not complaining.", She says. "See you on Sunday?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

We slowly part, as she walks outside. She looks back at me once, as we share a small wave, before she gets in her car. I watch her leave, before closing the door, and turning around.

Alfred stands, right infront of me. He's as predictably smug as I imagined. My smile fades, as I walk past him.

"Not. One. Word."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it, Sir."

We both walk into the study, as I sit down. Alfred looks at me. He can see the look on my face.

"Are you alright?"

"Hmm? Yeah... Of course, I... I just... I've never done that. Dating, I mean. I'm not used to it."

"It's past time you started, I'd say."

I sigh.

"I don't know... I mean... did I make a mistake? That was supposed to be a simple interview... I turned it into more than it should've been."

"Quite frankly, Master Bruce, I don't see the problem."

I pause, and look up at him. It takes a minute, but he finally starts to get it.

"...Oh. Oh... Your... nightly activities."

"Exactly. If I'm going to do this... I'm putting her in danger, n-"

I pause. My eyes widen.

"Sir?"

"Oh my god. I forgot... the article.", I say, getting up and running out of the room. Alfred follows, as we rush down the hallway.

"Article?"

"Remember that Scarecrow article she published? I forgot all about it. It was one of the reasons I invited her here, tonight. To protect her. But now..."

"Do you really think she's still in danger? It is three in the morning, after all..."

"And what better time to make an attack than at night? In the dark?"

He pauses, realising this.

"...I see your point."

"Don't wait up."

We part, As I rush into trophy room. Passing all of my father's various collected items, from around the world... I finally stop at an old-world style English Grandfather clock. One of my parent's favorite pieces of the collection, before they passed. I open it up, and grab the handle inside. It clicks, before opening, confronting me with darkness.

The construction on the cave isn't nearly complete... But I was lucky enough to find an abandoned secret shaft, leading into a main part Alfred and I drilled out. It, apparentally, was used as a potential bomb shelter, during World War I, when my grandfather owned the mansion. Someday, I'm going to put an elevator lift here. But for now... the ladder we attached should suffice. I jump, grabbing it, and slide down.

No time to waste. Have to get into the city before Vicki gets home...

I land on the bottom floor, as Alfred shuts the Grandfather clock above me. I smirk to myself. "Good ole' Alfred", as my father used to joke...

Turning around, I run into the 'hall', as the generated lights illuminate the area. I can hear the Bats screeching above me, as I make it into the main part of the cave. It's barely any different from when we found it... the only difference is the additions of the holes in the wall, the worktable that holds various equipment (Complete with a laptop, until I can import a bigger computer, and a microscope), and... of course... the mannaquin, which holds my 'work clothes'.

I stop, infront of it, as the lenses in the cowl stare at me. It's as if it's actually ready for me to don it.

Well... I do hate to disapoint...

I take the cowl, cloak, and the rest of it with me, and begin to change. I guess I was wrong. I won't be missing the night air, tonight...
 
Diana was perched on the rounded top of the Daily Planet's trademark globe, the evening breeze tossing her onyx tresses in several different directions at once. She had no visible scars or bruises from her encounter with the alien and 'Superman' earlier that day; the only thing that seemed to have suffered was her plated skirt, which was missing several decorative beads, and her tiara, which had gained another dozen scratches.

Reaching round, she rubbed the back of her neck gingerly. It was still tender due to the alien's assault. If she ever saw him again...

"I will kill him," she finished aloud. Dropping down to the rooftop, she stepped off the side and fell in a controlled descent, landing in a crouch before the doors of the newspaper building. Ignoring amazed stares from passers-by, she leaned on the reception desk and spoke, her voice solemn and emotionless. "Excuse me. I would like to talk to a reporter."

Whilst she was waiting for her as-yet unscheduled meeting with Luthor and the President, she might as well go about introducing herself to Man's World in...other ways.

The startled receptionist, a young, dark-skinned female, allowed her astonishment to show. "Uh...have you got an appointment?"

Diana shook her head. "Do I need one?"

"One moment, please," the receptionist mumbled, and began to talk quietly into a telephone.

On the other end, Diana could hear a male barking orders harshly at her.

"Yes, sir, Mr White," the receptionist stuttered. "It won't happen again, I pro - -"

Diana snatched the telephone from the girl's grasp and placed it onto her ear, a grimace spreading across her face. "I don't know who you are, Mister, but you will not address a lady like that in my presence! Women are your superior in eveyr way, little man, so you do not talk to them like dirt! I will be coming up to your newsroom immediately, and I expect to be able to see a reporter straight away."

She set the phone down on its hook and made her way over to the elevator, leaving a bemused receptionist behind.

"Whoa..."
 
the Rock of Ages:

OK… what the hell? I save the day, and its broadcast all over the news that I’M responsible for it. Like they think I knew what I was doing.

I’m seventeen years old, I don’t know what I’m doing even when I plan it out in advance.

One very good bonus though, has to be the chick coverage. Last night I save a plane from crashing into a building down town, which I may have inadvertently caused to be heading for that building… but, hey, props for me… ‘cos, I mean, it was gonna crash anyway.

Anyway, point is, one night I’m saving a plane, now I’m teen idol for all girls in Fawcett City. Oh yes, it does indeed rock to be me.

But, yeah, Mr. Shazam seems a tad on the pissed side. Going on about how I jumped in without thinking. I mean, dude, kinda the reason you picked me for this gig. If I hadn’t jumped in and saved that girl from being raped, never would have broken my back. My rash actions are what earned my this show. Stupid old son of a-

“Freddy, I can hear your thoughts,”

Frick.

I look up at the old codger.

“No you can’t,” I hazard a guess, with my eyes suspiciously gazing over him.

He smiles, in that way that only men over the age of a thousand can, and replies “Yes, I can,”

He pauses.

“I can also kill you with my mind, so don’t think of me as an old codger again,”

Double frick.

“Look dumb ass, you jumped in reclessly, and you endangered lives,” he moves over to his bar. Why is there a bar in this place… wassit called… the Rock of Ages?

“And I know you meant well, but god kid, even the guy dressed up as a giant bat has got more of a clue than you!”

He mixes a St. Clemens. Why no alchahol.. weird old goa-

He throws a look, and I stop thinking what I was about to think.

“Ah hell! Why don’t you go pick him then. I mean, christ, you pick a homeless kid from Fawcett, what’s that about?!”

The old man puts his drink down.

“I chose you ‘cos I was meant to chose you. The bat dude has his own destiny, same as the alien, same as the intergalactic space policeman, hell even the Amazonian princess.”

“Amazonian princess?”

“Look, point is, you’ve got the powers now. I can’t take them back, the Gods chose you, you’re it.”

“Yeah, well the Gods chose wrong didn’t they?”

“Gods can’t chose wrong, you moron. They’re Gods…” He sighs. “Dealing with a fricking idiot,”

“Hey!”

“SHUT, UP!”

His voice carries throughout the entire place. There are these weird things inside containers (I guess the deadly sins), and they all just stop and look at him. Something tells me This dude is not the kind of guy you want to piss off.

“You are my avatar. You are a symbol of justice and peace. You are not an ideal. You are not incorruptable, you are human. You are mortal. You may be the mightiest, but you are still mortal. And you have to learn humility. You have to act like someone they can aspire to be like. Someone they can look up to. There are many ways to inspre people Freddy; The Bat strikes fear, the Alien is the incorruptable ideal, the Lantern is a symbol of unity… You have to find your voice. And you have to do so soon. There are forces in this world kid, forces that would kill to grab a hold of you.”

“But I’m one of the good guys,” I reply.

“No. You’re not. You’re Frederic Freeman. You’re a kid with astonishing powers. You are the representative of the Gods on this fair Earth. But that doesn’t make you good. The Gods weren’t good. They were whatever the situation required. You are here to make sure this planet doesn’t destroy itself. And there are many ways to take that path. Some lead you to be a being of unrivaled power, some lead to you becoming the thing that people fear the most in their nightmares. You are not good Freddy, and never forget that you’re actions, from this day on, they all add up. They all count.”

I look at him as he stares me down hard.

“So don’t %^$£ it up!”

And with a flash, I’m Freddy Freeman, in the back alley of a Fawcett City street. I curl up besides some trash cans, and I try to sleep. I don’t sleep, but I try anyway. And I try to remember what a hero is.
 
Scarecrow travel across town to the home of Vicky Vale. He parked the car down the street and got out. He made his way through alleys and stayed off the sidewalks. He finally made it to the house and saw her car pulling up. He pulled the mask out of the pocket and put it on. She walked up to her door and took out her keys. This was it he walked up right behind her.

"Hello there my pretty" she turned around and let out a giant scream. She thrust her hand in her purse and pulled out some mase. She pointed it at him and started to back up.

"S..Stay back" she said. He started to move forword and she spray hitting his mask.

"Please allow me" he said. His arm shot out and gas filled her. She dropped the mase and her face showed extreme horror. She dropped to ground and began to back away in fright. She started to cry and scream.

"NO please stay back"

"Scared are you? Do not fret; I'll take care of you" he took out his knife and slowly walk towards her.
 
(IC: Batman)

I drop onto a ledge, outside of Vale's apartment. My cape drops around me, as I reach into my belt, and pull out a pair of binoculars. Empty. I went too fast, with this.

I put the binoculars down, sneering to myself. I shouldn't be this paranoid. It's a slim chance anything will happen at all.

...Yet, there's still a chance. I have to keep focused... Even the slightest mistake could cost Vicki her life. And while she is an innocent bystander, part of a class I've sworn to protect... I can't help but wonder if this is personal. She is the girlfriend of Bruce Wayne, after all.

I look down, noticing she's pulled up. So far... She's alright. Good. Maybe it can stay that wa-

My eyes widen, underneath the cowl, as I see someone hurry into the same building she entered. WITH A BURLAP SACK. He IS real.

Oh dear god...

Without second's hesitation, I pull out a line from my belt. Can't use the door on the ground... It'll only waste time. I'll have to enter through her apartment. I throw the line, and pull, as the grapple snags a railing.

...

Wait... Which apartment am I entering?

I hear a thud, as one of the apartment doors is flung open. I can see it through the windows. Vicki. Scarecrow. It's just as I feared. I have to save her... Have to protect her from this 'new breed of evil'...

...Wait. I'm endangering my subtlity. Being Batman, I never wanted to be public with this. If everyone thought I was an urban myth, it would be, naturally, easier to put fear into criminals and operate with secrecy. But if I do this... I'll be revealing the existance of The Batman to Vicki, a well known reporter. Do I want to risk that?

I hear a scream. It's HER'S. To hell with secrecy... She may die, If I don't do anything.

With a tug, I leap, swinging from the building, above the streets, and crashing through the apartment window. I land, on my feet, with my cape protecting me from the shattered glass. I look at Vicki's attacker with glowing eyes. He's not going to escape me. This killer will be brought to justice.

"LEAVE HER ALONE."
 
The windows crashed and Scarecrow rised his cloak to protect him from any glass. When he dropped there he was the street myth...the Batman. He was not going to interfere with his plans. He raise his knife and leapt on the Batman that was a bad move. He caught him and threw him against the wall. Crane's body was no match against his but he did hold an ace. Scarecrow got back up and Batman moved in. Scarecrow raised his hand but Batman caught it.

"It's over" he said

"Not even close tell me creature of the night what are you afraid of?" gas filled Batman's face and he slowly let go of him.
 
Watchman said:
The windows crashed and Scarecrow rised his cloak to protect him from any glass. When he dropped there he was the street myth...the Batman. He was not going to interfere with his plans. He raise his knife and leapt on the Batman that was a bad move. He caught him and threw him against the wall. Crane's body was no match against his but he did hold an ace. Scarecrow got back up and Batman moved in. Scarecrow raised his hand but Batman caught it.

"It's over" he said

"Not even close tell me creature of the night what are you afraid of?" gas filled Batman's face and he slowly let go of him.
Click to expand...

(IC: Batman)

What the...?

I step back. Did... What did he... What was that?

I begin coughing, stepping back, away from him. It's some sort of gas. It could be toxic... possibly fatal, for all I know. It fills my throat as I continue choking.

*cough* *cough* Have... Have to*cough* ACK! Have to... stop... h...him...*cough*...Need... Can't... Breeeeeeathe...

I tumble back, onto a couch, still coughing. He's moving towards me. I take out two Batarangs from my belt, ready to attack him, when...

My... parents? What the hell? They're... No, that's... That's impossible. This has to be some sort of trick... My parents... they're standing infront of me.

"Bruce."

No... I... They're not...

"Bruce, how dare you."

What? What does he *cough* What does he mean?

"You've disgraced the family name. You've turned us into a laughing stock. Is this how you repay us?"

No... No, I didn't... I didn't mean to...

"This isn't the kind of son I wanted. You've failed me. You've failed US."

NO... I could never... They're... This... This isn't real... THIS ISN'T REAL...

THIS ISN'T REAL!!!!

I wreathe, rolling over the couch, on the floor, swatting at the floating figures of my parents infront of me. They're fading. But I'm still coughing.

...Wait. That's it. The gas... It must be a hallucinagion of some form... That's the only explaination. David Cain taught me about them, in my travels. I don't remember much about them... But I remember that they can be deadly. I reach into my belt... There has to be something that can, at the very least, temporarily relieve me of the symptoms...

I look over my shoulder. The Scarecrow... Or, what looks like The Scarecrow... (He looks more monster than man to me, now. A result of the toxin, no doubt)... He's advancing. Have to fight this...

I grab the bottom of the couch with both hands, and pull up, heaving... It's heavy... But...

There!

I shove the couch forward, hitting The Scarecrow behind me. It won't do much... but... it'll allow me time for my immune system to fight it. I roll over, on my back, letting a few coughs loose, before crawling up to my feet. What the hell has he done to me?!

"Not... *cough* Not of... You..."

 
Scarecrow fell over as the couch crashed into him. He looked over and saw Batman rising from the ground.

"Not... *cough* Not of... You..."

He picked up a nearby chair and slammed down on Batman. He fell back on the ground. He notice the knife on the ground and picked it up. "NOW MISS VALE WHERE WERE WE BEFORE WE WERE RUDELY INTERRUPTTED ". He raised the knife up into the air and it lands right into her shoulder.

"Oh God what have I done" his voice seemed to change

"Shut up get out of here Crane this has to been down". Crane now was in a fight with his body. He began to run for the door but then stop. "We'll meet again Batman". He left the the house and back to car. He started up and drove back to his house.

"He's after us now...the Batman". The large figure picked him up and slammed him against the wall.

"I KNOW WE COULD HAVE TOOK CARE OF HIM" he shouted

"We can we do"

"FIRST YOU NEVER DO THAT AGAIN I WILL KILL YOU DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND NEXT WE HAVE TO SHOW GOTHAM WHAT FEAR IS. BATMAN FIGHTS THE CRIMINALS WE WILL HELP THEM FIGHT BATMAN"
 
"Dr. Palmer... this is rediculous." Several of the techs surrounded Raye as she walked down the hallway. "You've got to reconsider... let us run more tests."

Raye tightened her latex gloves and lowered her goggles as she headed toward the shrinking plate. "Animal testing is three months off. Deadline is tonight. And most importantly..." She looked over her glasses at number 35, "It will work." There was a small makeshift medical table nearby. She calmly sat down on it, removing her labcoat and rolling up her sleeve. Slowly, they withdrew a needle, full of some viscous dark grey liquid.

Inserting into her bloodsteam, Raye squirmed. It wasn't a small needle, or a small prick. She took a few deep breaths. "It will take a few minutes to run it's course." The lead med looked towards Dr. Pratt, leaning heavily on a scanner frame, with a look of deep concern.

"Perhaps that'll give you enough time to prove to me this isn't suicide." His face had few hints of sarcasm. He walked directly over to Raye on the med table.

Raye levelled her eyes at the man. She was actually on his eye level sitting on the heightened bed. While he was a shorter man, at 5'6", at 5'3" she looked up to him more than figuratively. "I can't explain it, Al. I'm just right..."

Al cursed as he turned away, he spun back around to face the young woman. "This isn't school, Raye. This is real goddamn life. You can't just be right in theory. If you're wrong you could die instantly. You could shrink infinitely into nothingness. You could get stuck indefinitely as a nanometer-tall circus show..."

Raye smiled a bit, almost self-righteously. "Can you take my numbers and prove them wrong."

Al turned around, stiffling another curse, trying to keep his composure. "You know no one can do that."

Raye smiled softly to herself. She took pride in her intellect. She wished often that she was more. Her face drew out into a resolve. Right now she wasn't. This was what she did, and she did it well. "We're ready for you, Dr. Palmer."

Raye turned to the medics who nodded to her affirmatively. Raye placed her goggles over her eyes. And stepped, with the slightest hint of trepidation. She looked Albert Pratt directly in the eyes. "If I can't do this... what can I do?" Albert was silent. Raye turned towards the tech running the machine. "5.2 seconds exposure. Go."

In a blaze of orange energy, the networks of pylons lit up, suddenly surging outwards and filling the space between the two walls of energy. Raye looked up in gasp. Every inch of her body tingled. Vibrated. Burned. She watched as the world fell away. The shrinking plate shot outwards in all directions. The ceiling and machines fell away into a massive mix of grey. Raye felt cold... and felt alone.

She looked around. The world was simple, dark. Cold. It was completely devoid of life. Movement. Feature. Point. She knelt in one of the divits of the metal. It was like being in the microscope. She wanted to say something, but everything she could think of sounded stupid. Hello? I claim this land in the name of France?

"You sure have gotten yourself into something here, haven't you?" She ran her hand across the ridges in the metal that seemed so smooth. She looked at her hands. A huge smile spread across her face. She had actually done it. She was a tiny speck on the ground. And, ironically it was the most signifcant thing she had ever done.

She reached to her side touching the tiny zero point generator that would rocket her back up to her normal, if not spectacular height. Clicking it she watched the world shrink away around her until she with a grin halted at her optimum height, though, she felt ten feet tall.

Every jaw dropped. The medics, techs, even Dr. Pratt all stared in disbeleif. Raye grinned like a cheshire cat, though in moments a wave of nausea washed over her. She vomited. Her hands, arms, every exposed part of her body had been chaffed, scratched and grated by the re-growth process. Raye passed out before she knew what hit her...
 
Watchman said:
Scarecrow fell over as the couch crashed into him. He looked over and saw Batman rising from the ground.

"Not... *cough* Not of... You..."

He picked up a nearby chair and slammed down on Batman. He fell back on the ground. He notice the knife on the ground and picked it up. "NOW MISS VALE WHERE WERE WE BEFORE WE WERE RUDELY INTERRUPTTED ". He raised the knife up into the air and it lands right into her shoulder.

"Oh God what have I done" his voice seemed to change

"Shut up get out of here Crane this has to been down". Crane now was in a fight with his body. He began to run for the door but then stop. "We'll meet again Batman". He left the the house and back to car. He started up and drove back to his house.

"He's after us now...the Batman". The large figure picked him up and slammed him against the wall.

"I KNOW WE COULD HAVE TOOK CARE OF HIM" he shouted

"We can we do"

"FIRST YOU NEVER DO THAT AGAIN I WILL KILL YOU DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND NEXT WE HAVE TO SHOW GOTHAM WHAT FEAR IS. BATMAN FIGHTS THE CRIMINALS WE WILL HELP THEM FIGHT BATMAN"
Click to expand...

(IC: Batman)

Have... Have to... Get... up...

I pull myself up, as He runs out. My back aches, from the hit... But I think I avoided any serious fractures, at least.

"We'll meet again Batman."

I look up, with another cough. Meet again? We won't have to... Because I'm bringing him to jus-

I look over, seeing Vicki. My eyes widen.

"No..."

Vicki. Oh no... Oh please no...

She's bleeding. Worse... She's got the end of that knife coming out of her shoulder. He stabbed her. Oh god...

I stumble to my feet, still feeling lightheaded from the combination of the gas and the chair. I shake my head. Have to fight it... Have to get Vicki to a hospital...

I walk forward. The minute she looks at me she screams. My eyes widen again, before I look down, realising what I'm wearing. Oh... Well that's just great. I design this costume to strike fear into criminals... And it's scaring innocents, aswell. I look at her.

"No, you don't understand. I'm here to help-"

"Pl...Please! Get away!"

"Ms. Vale, You don't have to be afraid of-"

"Oh god... STAY BACK!!!"

I stop where I am. I can understand if the costume is frightning... It was made to look that way... But... This isn't what I had in mind. Then I realise something. She's... swatting, with one hand. And not at me. It's in alot of different directions.

...The GAS. She was poisoned aswell.

I reach into my belt. I can't help her if she's squirming like she is... And considering she's both poisoned and physically injured, I need to hurry...

Third pocket... That's where I put it, I think... I... Yes. The seditive. I was experimenting with it as a last resort weapon, just in case I was overpowered in any given situation. I was working on moving it to a blow gun, of some sort... But this situation, I feel, needs it more.

I look up at Vicki. She's crying... Probably scared out of her mind, at whatever she's seeing. She swats at me, But I grab her hand.

"Hold still..."

...Then, she does something I really wish she didn't. She shoots her leg up, kicking me... well... between the legs. In a certain area...

I drop the seditive, in pain, as I kneel over. It shatters on impact as it hits the ground. Out of ALL the places in my suit... That one just had to be the one unprotected, didn't it?

I look down at the smashed seditive, gritting my teeth. Now what?

She tries to stand up. I grab her. Damn it, this isn't getting either of us anywhere. Then... I remember something. A trick that I was taught under the teachings of the League Of Assassains. I look at Vicki as she struggles, while still being in pain from the knife.

Forgive me...

I reach up, and pinch one side of Vicki's neck. She stops, looking at me, with her eyes widened, for a second. Then, she falls. I catch her before she can hit the ground. It worked. I'll have to keep that in mind for future reference...

I immediatley grab the knife lodged in her shoulder. If I can get that out... It'll solve at least one problem... Maybe even ease the pain, making it less likely to wake her. I clench it in my hand, for a straight second, concentrating. Then... With one, swift pull, I release it. Another trick that's become useful, tonight...

...

Only... to realise I've just unplugged her wound, making the blood flow even worse than before. IDIOT. I stand up, pressing an internal button on the side of my cowl.

"Alfred. You there?"

Damn it... Come on, Alfred. If I've ever needed you during an emergency, now would be the time.

"Alfred?!"

"-ere, Sir. What do you need?"

I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank god...

"I need the location of the nearest hospital from Vicki's address."

"Trouble?"

"Long story. And not nearly enough time to explain. Please tell me you're working on that address."

"I've already typed it into the computer, Sir. The results are loading as we speak..."

I wait for a second, looking at Vicki as I raise her in my arms. I frown, looking at her unconcious face. If I had only kept her at the Manor...

"The nearest one is about two blocks east of you, Master Bruce. And it's low-key, which I'm sure you'd prefer."

"How do you know that it's low-key?"

"Remember that Leslie woman I told you about? It's her clinic."

I pause, before speaking.

"You're a life saver, Alfred."

"I know. I just try not to rub it in."

I switch off the communicator. Ignoring Alfred's attempt at humor, I carry Vicki to the door... Only to stop, realising something. How am I going to be able to run two blocks, carrying a woman, in public streets? I need a car. I'll make sure to get one, after this. But in the meantime...

I hear a jingle. Looking down, I spot Vicki's car keys, at the door. She must've dropped them, during the struggle. I pick them up, and glance at her face.

I really, really hope you've got good insurance...

* * * *

The car comes to a screeching halt, as we make it to the Thompson clinic. I get out (still in my Bat-garb, by the way), and carry Vicki out of the passenger's seat. I've done my best to plug the wound with my cape... Now it's time she got some real medical attention.

I run inside. Everyone looks at me, speechless. Oh dear god... They're all homeless. Is this what Gotham has been reduced to? Having to get help in an under payed and probably under supplied clinic?

An elderly woman walks up to me, hesitant. She wears green hospital attire.

"Who... Who are you?"

I look at her nametag. "Thompkins". Lucky me. I hold Vicki's unconcious form up, removing the cape from her.

"Someone who needs your help, Doctor."

Thompkins' eyes go wide, seeing Vicki. She looks up at me.

"Oh god..."

"Please. She doesn't have long..."

She looks at me, a little afraid.

"Why should I help you? For all I know, you did this to her."

"I didn't. And I was sent here by an aqquaintance of yours, Dr. Thompkins. Alfred Pennyworth was the name."

She pauses, looking up at me. Eventually, she nods.

"I need a stretcher in here! NOW!"

I give Vicki to her, as the stretcher comes. I look around, seeing the patients stare at me. I think it's best I leave, for now... There's nothing more I can do...

"I don't know who you are, but it's a good thing you got here in-"

By the time she looks back, I'm gone.

"...time?"

* * *

I stand, a few rooftops away from the clinic. The Scarecrow... He did this to her. He did something to me, aswell. I need to figure out what, before I come back, tommorow, as Bruce Wayne.

But first, I have a stop to make...
 
Pamela was exposed to the night. Her friend had abandoned her and she had no place left to go. The cold breeze of dusk washed over her pale green nude body making her shiver. She had to find clothes and fast. The runaway knew exactly where to look. Pam walked down the street and turned towards Saint Alephaba’s Park. She remembered it had some strange importance. Just then, a patrol car stopped her in the middle of the street. The man inside rolled down the window.

“Excuse me, lady, are you lost?” asked the police man.
“No, just on my way home,” The man nodded and looked down at her exposed body.
“Whoa. Lady, I am going to have to arrest you. We do not let stuff like this fly around here, that is, unless you do not do me a favor. Why don’t you come in here and search your body?” he said, stepping out of the car.
“No. I do not sell myself like this,”
“I am afraid you do not have a say in the matter,” demanded the police man, grabbing her hand and pushing her against the side of the car. He was in the middle of unzipping his fly when Pamela got a sudden urge. She wanted to kiss him, make me feel like he was in control, but still cause him extreme pain at the same time. She wanted him dead. Pamela forced the wishes out of her head, but the action was futile for the cop placed his lips on hers.

As his tongue touched hers, she felt his hands shake. He pulled back and looked at her in terror. His face grew a deep green like his was sick. A foul smell wafted from his body as if he already began to decompose. A small weed outstretched from his mouth and began curling around his neck. His body hit the cement.

“Oh my god! What have I done?” cried Pamela. What she had down angered her, but also gave her a sense of pleasure. Rapidly, there was a change racing through her psyche. The female ran towards the park in a hurry.

Saint Alephaba’s was covered with thick weeds and other plant life. It had not been visited or managed in a year. The statue of the saint was buried in a type of plant. It really pulled the inner beauty of the memorial out. Pamela remembered words. She said them out loud.

“Eleka Namen,”

The arms of the Saint slowly moved but wouldn’t open. The vines had sealed them shut. Pamela waved her hands towards the plants and they moved to her will. She went down to the ground floor.

The inside of the lab was filled with lavishing Rycogec. It was intertwined with all the doors and halls. Wrapped in the new specimen were all the dead employees and patients.

“The food supply must have run low. The service tunnels were jammed shut with all these vines. Oh well. My new little darlings, please removed the trash,” The vines circled around the bodies and lifted them high into the air. A giant flytrap engulfed the corpses.

Pamela walked into her office. Off to the side of the wall was a closet. She twisted the handles and looked inside. The female Regenious suit was still placed inside. The suit was crafted to sustain any threats the test subjects of the Process might have encountered.
She slipped the dark green corset over her bosom. It fit nicely over her chest and left her stomach revealed. Next, she put the matching leather pants over top. Pamela turned to one of the flytraps.

“My little babies, Poison Ivy has so much to accomplish,”
 
Arturr struggled to get to the top of the palace. He climbed walls, jumped performed acrobatic feats in order to get to his mother’s window. It was difficult, it was painful, but at least he didn’t get seen. When he finally got there, he saw Atlanna and her handmaiden, and entered the room through the window. His mother turned to him. “Oh, Arturr, you startled me.”

Arturr was panting nervously. “Mom, we have to get out of here. Now!” he said. “What’s going on?” his mother asked, confused. Arturr really didn’t have the time. But looking at her son’s eyes, she knew. She saw as if she were there herself. Atlanna did her best to look strong for her son, but she couldn’t. At that moment, Arturr just didn’t have the patience to comfort her.

“Mom, father is dead! We have no time for this! We have to get out of here before Orm gets to us.” Arturr exclaimed, taking his mother by the arm and trying to take her with him. Atlanna just couldn't believe her ears.

She was in shock, but she knew what to do. “No.” she said, taking her arm from out of Arturr’s grip. “I’m not going.” she said, much to Arturr’s chagrin. “It’s not up for debate. I’m not leaving you here.” he answered. Atlanna smiled, trying her best to hide the sadness in her. She caressed Arturr lovingly. “My place is here. I’ll be fine. Orm can’t hurt me as long as you are okay.”

Arturr tried reasoning with her, but he could see that her mind was made, and knew that he couldn’t talk her out of it. He hugged her, while looking at the handmaiden. Arturr and Atlanna parted. “I have to leave.” he said. “But I’ll come back. I’ll make things right.”

Then, Arturr walked to the young girl next to them and kissed her. As much as Atlanna knew about her son, she just couldn’t see this coming. “I love you, Mera.” Just as she was about to reply, guards entered the room. With no time to think, Arturr shot a blast at the guards and ran out the window. He climbed his way to the roof, where he knew there was a portal out of the bubble that protected Atlantis. That was his way out.

Arturr looked around trying to find the portal. It wasn’t far from him. If he managed to jump long enough, he would be safe. Now he understood why the palace was built so high. He took a moment to think if he should or even could do this. But right now, it was his only option. He knew he had no chance if he stayed. He knew Orm wouldn’t harm his mother, trying to use her telepathic connection to him. He knew he had to do this. And so he did.

Come on, Arturr, you can do this. You HAVE to do this.

Arturr ran, as fast as he could, and concentrated all his strenght into his legs, as he launched himself into the portal. He closed his eyes, unable to face the possible consequences of this reckless decision. He didn’t have to open them to see the results. He felt it as his body suddenly seemed to float. He opened his eyes and just couldn’t believe he had done it.

He regretted not being able to take his mother with him. Now he knew he could have made that jump with her in his arms. Far away, Arturr noticed soldiers swimming to his direction. Arturr prepared himself, trying to decide which direction to escape.

He didn’t know the oceans well. He was very sheltered by his parents. But now there was no time to think about it. The soldiers were coming fast. Arturr picked a random direction and swam as fast as he could. He didn’t see it, but he outswam them very easily. Desperate to escape, Arturr just swam and swam, with no real clue as to how far he had gone.

Suddenly, something gave him pause. He looked up and saw a bright bluish orb at the top of the ocean. Arturr started to swim towards it, almost hipnotized.

On the surface, a man sat in front of a lighthouse. He was in his late thirties, wore a beard. It was night, and the moon was full. He was fishing, not a care in the world. That is, until Arturr jumped twenty feet from out of the water. The fright took the man aback and made him drop the fishing pole.

Arturr landed next to the man, who, naturally, had his jaw severely dropped in disbelief. Arturr seemed more exhausted than he’d ever been. He looked at the man, and passed out.
 
(IC Hawkman)

Carter slowed his speed and followed the jets as they approached the U.S.S. Stenis. He broke formation to land on the deck. Once there he was surrounded quickly by the Naval officers. Many had their guns drawn and some just flight deck personel...

Carter raised his hand in a non threatening gesture and put his mace at his side and attatched it to his belt,
"hang on guys I am not the enemy," he said unshakingly.

The Admiral stepped out from behind some of the armed men...

Admiral- "Then just who the hello are you?"

Hawkman- "I am Carter Hall, citizen of the United States. I am a Descendent of the Hawkgod,"Carter said as he removed his helment.

Flight deck officer 1- "Hey I know that guy. He used to be that guy on the coke adds."

Hawkman- "That was a few years ago. But thanks for remembering."

Admiral- "So you are not only some kind of freak but some kind of hollywood star? I Think you best explain why you are "flying" and what this stuff is you seem to be wearing? Is this some kind of scientific experiment that we weren't notified about? What branch of the military authorized this?"

Hawkman- "Well to be honest I am not sure you will believe everything I am about to tell you. In fact if your men lower their weapons I would feel more at ease...for them." How the hell did that last part slip out?

Admiral- "Oh really. I dont think you are in a position to request how we treat this situation. I want you to start talking. Does this have anything to do with the situation that happened in Metropolis this morning?"

Hawkman-"I am not sure what you are talking about but I think I was alone when I entered the pyramids. Can you tell me more about what you are referring to?

Admiral- "It appears some there was some meta human activity in the city. Nothing entirely new but the level of it was of great concern. All the military is on high alert. The rest is classified."

Hawkman- "Well then I think Metropolis has become my new destination. I appreciate the information...err Admiral. Thats what you are right?"

Admiral- "That's, "Admiral Johnson, Sir" to you son."

Hawkaman- "Then I will be addressed as Prince Khufu. I need to leave you and your men now Admiral."

Carter put his helment back on and spread his wings. The men closet to him jumped back in astonishment and surprise.

Admiral- "I am going to notify homeland security and the pentagon about you..Prince."

Hawkman- "I would expect you to. But I assure you I am on your side Admiral, as long as that side is of justice."

Admiral- " I am also going to have the same squadron escort you to the as far as they can. You will be picked up by another squardr0n and so on."

Hawkman- "You can do whatever makes you feel comfortable.They can try and keep up."

Carter lifted off the ground and his wings flapped a few times without naturally. He saluted the Admiral and began to fly away. He got to about 100 feet in the air and shot off in the directio of Metropolis. There was a loud sonic boom as he took off and the Admiral knew he would have no chance catching the winged man.He only hoped they were truly on the same side.

 
(IC: Batman / Bruce Wayne)

I sit in the Cave, still in my suit, sans cowl. Alfred brings me one of my cleaner capes, considering the other one was covered in blood. I take it, and put it on, before looking into the microscope.

After I took Vicki to Thompkin's clinic, I went back to the apartment, and picked up the knife that The Scarecrow used on my way here. It would provide me with both a blood sample for Vicki (Which, I admit, I would've had no trouble collecting), and a fingerprint match for her assailant.

Unfortunatley, I didn't have any luck on the fingerprint area. Scarecrow used gloves during the attack... He was probably careful to make sure his identity remained hidden. That, or he's lucky.

The blood sample proved to give me more answers, though. Vicki was definatley poisoned by Scarecrow's gas... Which I've found is a hallucinagion, as I had suspected. Taking some of my own blood, I compared the two. Due to my years of building up a strong immune system, during my travels, I was able to overcome most of it on my own. Vicki, however, didn't have that luxury... Which is part of the reason she's in the hospital now.

If I were to guess, this toxin had to be self-made. Meaning Scarecrow, whoever he is, had to have access to a number of different chemicals, in order to create it. That gives me a few options... But too many to be sure.

I take the scan of my blood sample, and transfer it into the computer. If I can digitally match each chemical in the toxin, I may be able to form an antidote, to keep this from happening again. Typing at the keys, the scan starts. Alfred watches.

"I assume this means your plans for this weekend are going to be put on hold, then?"

I glance back at him, for a second, before reloading my utility belt with another seditive.

The computer beeps, as the results display. Both Alfred and I turn to it. Alfred's eyes widen, seeing the number of results.

"My word."

"The Scarecrow probably wanted to make sure and hide any traces back to him."

"Well, that would certainly do it."

"Probably. But the fact that I saw him doesn't put that to much use, now."

I memorise the list of chemicals mentally. I think I may know which ones to use in order to counter Scarecrow's. But I don't have much time... The blood tests showed a chemical unbalance in the toxin. If it stays into Vicki's bloodstream... Or even mine, for that matter... The side effects caused by the chemical could become permanent.

I stand up, walking away from the area. Alfred follows.

"Alfred, I'll need you to drive me back into the city."

"Well I don't doubt that Sir, but... Why, exactly?"

I slip the cowl back over my face. The feeling of it molding onto me makes the voice come in almost naturally.

"I need to get the list of chemicals to a specialist at Gotham Medical. If I can learn where Scarecrow had access to these, It could give me a clue to his identity."

"Very well... But... won't you need someone to stay here and create that anti-toxin you were hoping to get done?"

I stop. He's right. I need the anti-toxin done soon... And I can't tend to it myself. Not when The Scarecrow's still out there.

"I'll drive myself, then."

"Actually, Sir... I think I may have a better idea..."

I raise an eyebrow, under the cowl, as Alfred leads me out of the Cave.

* * *

We walk into the garage, as the lights flicker on, displaying the vast amount of cars. My father had alot of hobbies... and he was an avid collector. Of many things. We walk past a few vintage ones before stopping at one, covered in a tarp.

"I had worked on this one in my spare time. Your father always meant to finish it..."

I watch as Alfred pulls the tarp away. My eyes widen. It's not a car... It's a motorcycle. A black one, at that... It almost looks new.

"Though I wouldn't normally give it to you, given your ...history, with some of your father's collection pieces, I felt the situation called for it. That, and you're not ten, anymore. I was thinking this could probably get you into the city faster than any the cars. What do you think, Sir?"

I stand, quietly, for a second. Then, a grim smirk creeps across my face. I think it's time I added a new piece to my arsenal.

"I think this will do nicely..."
 
beep... beep.... beep...

"Ungh..." Raye moaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She blinked. Slowly, the bright white lights filling her sights. She breathed slowly. Where was she? How had she gotten here...

The Hospital...

She turned her head one direction and looked at Albert Pratt sitting, head down and asleep in the chair by her bed. She smiled a bit. He was like a father to her, that's for sure. There were probably a dozen projects he was supposed to be working on. She turned over, to face the other way. On her food tray was a vase of flowers with Gene's signature on them. Her boyfriend Gene Loring had a tendency to be a jerk, but he was sweet... you know, when he got around to it. Waitaminute... how long had she been out? She leaned up slowly. She looked at the clock. It was 8 and the sun was shining. It was morning. She pressed the nurse intercom/page button. "What day is it?"

"Is this the patient in 507?" Her voice go only slightly distant. "Can we get a nurse into 507?" The nurse's voice returned to the receiver. "It's the 17th ma'am. You haven't even been here a whole day."

Raye sat up. Today was the presentation. And Raye was certain she was going to be ready. Sliding her bed's back upright she wrangled the telephone eagerly. "Hello, this is Dr. Palmer."

"Uh, Doctor, aren't you in the hospital."

Raye couldn't keep this grin off her face. She was doing something that had never been done before, it was irresistably exciting. It gave her purpose... courage. Boldness... "Nevermind that... I need the numbers from yesterday in my desk. I want a hazard suit retrofitted to account for the injuries I received. One with a mini oxygenator... air's more than a little thin down there. Do it." Raye hung up the phone and glanced up at Dr. Pratt, who had since woken up.

Dr. Pratt levelled with her once more. "You realize that I could have you committed for this right? That this is actaully verifiably insane?"

Raye couldn't stop grinning she just cheesed. Even as the nurse came in. "Dr. Palmer... glad to see you're awake."

Raye's face straightened a bit. She looked the nurse in the eye. "I need to be discharged in the next ten minutes."

She laughed. "I realize you're a Dr., Miss Palmer, but..."

Raye swiftly and motionlessly cut in. "Lex Luthor is expecting me in a meeting. Lex Luthor owns this building. Bad things happen to people who dissappoint Lex Luthor, and I intend to keep all of us off that list." Raye's wide and winning smile genuinely crept back across her face. "Now, please... get me a doctor..."

---

Twenty minutes later, Dr. Palmer, in lab coat and the same clothes she had on yesterday strolled down the hallway towards the test area. Dr. Pratt stopped her before she entered the double doors. "Raye... if this works..."
Raye's eyes lit up. 'This working' having been all she could think about since college.

"If this works, you're going to make history..." Raye grinned and nodded. Pratt only grew more resolute and urgent, grabbing her by both her shoulders. "Luthor will take it all if he has a chance. He owns your research. He owns your job. He owns everything you pay rent on every month and he is heartless. He will take everything you've ever valued without blinking. I have other research wings to troubleshoot, but you do NOT under any circumstance, turn your back on Lex Luthor, you understand me?"

Raye's face and softened, and fallen. She nodded slowly, like, honestly, the naive little girl she was. She knew Luthor was evil, but it was hard to realize how close he was to her, especially since she had only seen him a handful of times. It was even harder to think of him finding any specific malevolent interesting in her shrinking technology as opposed to the advances they made in metallurgy, zero point energy and red dwarf radiation.

"Go ahead, Raye." Pratt ahemed... "I mean... Doctor." He smiled proudly.

Raye couldn't help but smile a bit too, wiping a strand of hair from her face. "Doctor." Pratt grinned as he turned on his heels, heading for the helipad for a meeting with some Ex-Star Labs guy.

Raye smiled until he turned the corner. She momentarily reflected on the work ahead. Her face grew resolute as she turned and shoved open the double doors. Faces looked up. There were three techs on the medtables receiving does of Luthonium into the bloodstreams. The shrinking plate held a sponge, some molded bread and a computer circuit.

"Alright boys... lets get saddled up. Corporate's on their way..." She grinned as she placed her clipboard in a tech's hands and walked up to the machine, putting her hands on it gently. "And we're going on an expedition."
 
His head was buzzing. Arturr slowly opened his eyes. He was lying in a bed, no idea where he was. He sat up and started looking around. His eyes hurt. Everything was brighter than he had ever experienced. He saw his trident leaned against the wall and started to wonder what was happening. Until he saw a man with his back to him, looking out of a window.

Arturr quickly grabbed his trident and attacked the man, pushing him against the window glass. He turned the man to face him and placed the edge of the trident very close to his throat.

“What’s going on?! Who are you?! Did he send you?!” Arturr questioned him. He didn’t know how to answer him. Then, Arturr looked out the window and saw something... Different. Suddenly, he wasn’t aggressive. He was in sheer awe.

He moved the man aside and looked out to see a beach, and the sky... There was something about all this that was familiar, in a way. And then he remembered. The surface. He’d made it. But he had to make sure. “Where am I? Is this the surface?”

“Uh... I guess you could say that.” the man answered, not entirely sure what Arturr meant by that question. “Who are you?” he asked.

Arturr hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should answer it. He didn’t know why, but for some reason, in his mind, Arturr knew he could trust this man. “Arturr, Prince of Atlantis.” He didn’t bother to ask back. The man was human, his name was of no consequence to him at that time. Either way, his entire attention was focused on the world outside. His eyes still hurt. This would take some getting used to.

“I’m Tom Curry. It’s nice to meet you, Arthur.” Tom offered his hand to Arturr, who decided not to shake it. “Okay, okay... It’s a trust thing, I get it. So... Atlantis, you say. Is that in Europe?” he asked.

“Atlantic Ocean.” The answer took Tom aback for a moment. “Oh... So, that Atlantis, huh?” At first, Tom thought Arturr was crazy, but he couldn’t deny what he saw. That jump out of the water... Not even dolphins could jump that high. And Arturr’s feet and hands... Webbed like nothing he’d ever seen or heard of before.

He started to wonder if that could be true, and then chuckled. “Well, with a flying Nazi and a man dressed as a bat walking around, I guess you should feel right at home.” Arturr stared at Tom blankly, barely understanding the concept of the joke. “Never mind.”

Suddenly, Arturr’s head started to hurt. “Are you okay?” Tom asked. “I feel... Pain. Not mine though. Something’s wrong.” Arturr looked at Tom. “I have to go.” He started to walk to the door, but Tom got in his way. “Listen... I’m not certain you should be going out right now... But be careful, okay, kid? This place can be... Harsh. So... You’re always welcome here.”

Tom really did seem to care. Which was funny since all he knew about surface dwellers was that they were destructively intelligent, and very selfish creatures. Arturr smiled and offered his hand to Tom. “Thank you.” Arturr said, as they shook hands.

He ran out of the lighthouse, trident in hand, and jumped back into the ocean. He started to swim like a madman, trying to handle the pain. Strangely enough, he knew exactly where to go. He was being given directions. He was being called.

At that point, his eyes were staring to get used to the brightness of the sun. It was beautiful sight, underwater. On the surface, it was painful.

Arturr only slowed down when he arrived in his destination. He walked out of the water, into another beach. But the sight wasn’t nearly as beautiful as the one from the lighthouse’s window. He saw a crowd watching a whale trapped in the sand. He saw men talking to each other with sad expressions while looking at the helpless animal. They knew there was nothing they could do. And Arturr knew there was something he could do.

He slowly approached the whale, and laid a hand on it. “I’m here, friend. I’m here.” Arturr turned when a man called out to him. “Hey, blondie, you can’t be there! Get away!” Arturr looked at the man, who was wearing a vest that read “Coast Guard”. Arturr couldn’t actually read any of it. It it didn’t matter, just like the man’s order didn’t.

At that moment he only cared about getting the whale out of there. He placed his hands under the whale. At the sight of this, the Coast Guard officer stopped.

He can’t be for real.

The officer’s amusement with the absurdity of the situation was soon turned into awe, as the man he thought was crazy was actually lifting a 30 ton humpback whale over his head with little effort. The feeling was mutual to all present there. Arturr walked into the ocean, whale in hands, setting his new friend free.

He can’t be for real. The officer thought, in a whole different tone.

His presence in the surface was now a known fact. How long until his until caught up with it, that remained to be seen.
 
batnkevlar said:
Blue Valley, Nebraska:

The sun is really getting to me. It's one of the craziest heat waves in the history of Blue Valley and it has to be while I'm here. Then again, it seems like I'll be here forever.

It's around noon, and me and the boys, we're pretty hungry. Whenever we're hugry, we go to Joe's. Joe's a nice old man, really respected by the townspeople. He opened up a restaraunt on the corner of Lemon and Orange like fifty years back. He claims its a pillar of the town. I agree with him.

The bell jingles as me, Mikey, and Cole enter through the door. I hold my basbeball mitt in one hand and a ball inside it. We've just got done playing, and I need a coke to get my body working again.

"I'll take a coke and a burger," I said to Joe at the register.

"The usual?" Joe asks me. I nudge my glasses up my nose yet again and I nod. "Never one for change, are ya Red?" At the sound of that nickname, I brush my hair away from my face. It's not easy being the redhead kid in a small town all your life.

Cole and Mikey order and we sit down at a nearby table. As I begin to bite into my burger, the jingle of the bells warn me of the new customer.

Deputy Kingsbeard. He's a tall, built man with a moustache and a gun prominently placed in his holster. He always wears his shades, even indoors. Believe me, I've met him before, and it was the same thing inside town hall in the dead of winter. The guy, to tell you the truth, he scares me. I can never tell what he's thinking. Yeah, that scares me bad.

"Three burgers and four cokes," Kingsbeard told Joe. He didn't even ask, he told.

"Awrite," says Joe, handing the food to him. Joe looks down to calculate the total. "That'll be..." By that time, the bell jingles again, and Kingsbeard is out the door. "Um, $17."

Joe doesn't do anything. He never has, he never will. Some people take advantage of other people's niceness. Cole notices this and he walks out of Joe's and leaves his food behind. Cole's the resident track star of the town, won two gold medals in regionals. He's just that damn good.

Mikey chomps on his burger as I run after Cole who's run after the Deputy. I grab my bat and with a jingle, I'm outside.

Cole approaches Deputy from behind. "Sir, I think you forgot to pay..." Cole begins to say. Kingsbeard stops and Cole runs up to him. With extreme precision, Deputy's elbow whips back and hits Cole's nose.

"What do you mean? I paid," said Deputy, through his dark shades, Cole's nose bleeding. He clutched his nose and knelt on the ground.

I see it and I run to the scene, as fast as I can. I see Deputy kick Cole to the ground. I see him take off his shades. I swing at Deputy with a bsaeball bat but he dodges it and swings at me. It connects at my throat and I crumpled to the ground.

"Silly boy," said Deputy. He turns to Cole, writhing on the ground. He takes off his shades and I see his eyes as he steps on Cole's knee. Cole tries to get his foot off from him but no avail.

POP! Goes the sound of Cole's knee. "Pop goes the weasel," Deputy says. I cough up blood and grab my bat. Deputy's too busy seeing Cole in pain, that sadist, that he doesn't see my bat going for his head.

He hits the ground and I hit him in the side. I hit him in the nuts and I hit him in the head again.

I cough up a bit more blood and I stand over his unconscious form with my bat in hand.

"The name's Wally West, sir. Hope you go to hell."

I faint, a combination of the heat, the injuries I've sustained, and the beating I laid on him. I hit the dirt and I fade to black.

I *****in hate cops.
Click to expand...

"You beat up a cop?" roared by father, furious. He's been drinking again. I nodded, and tried to defend myself.

I was standing in my living room with my mother and father, after they had recieved a phone call.

"C'mon, he was beating up Cole! He messed up his knee!" I yelled.

"Cole's parents called. He said he messed up his knee running, not getting beat by rogue cops. Cops do what's right, they don't go around pushing their will upon everyone!" yelled my father. My mother was still silent.

"****! You don't even believe me!" I yelled.

"Believe you? In your whole life, you've been nothing but an embarrassment to this family!" roared my father. I stood up.

"Well **** this family! You guys never believe me, never stick up for me. You're worthless!" I yelled. I got up and began to walk past him. He grabbed me by my collar and slapped me.

"You don't know the meaning of worthless, you little..." he punched me again.

I'm so outta this place.
 
After his very public appearance, Arturr didn’t know what to do. He swam around with his new friend for a while, but then he needed to regroup, and finally decide his next step. So he went to the one place he knew he’d be safe: the lighthouse.

He retraced his swim back to it very calmly this time, enjoying the scenery, looking out to the surface, trying to make sense of what he saw. It was all so different from what was familiar to him. Swimming slower this time, he noticed just how far and how fast he’d gone before.

By the time he got back to the lighthouse, it was night again. He liked the moon. It was beautiful, and unlike the sun, it didn’t hurt his eyes. And the darkness reminded him of the deep ocean.

Arturr got out of the water without jumping this time. He didn’t want to startle Tom again. “Hey, you’re back.” Tom was outside. He wasn’t fishing this time. Mostly because he didn’t want to fish Arturr accidentaly. “I had nowhere else to go.”

“I’m glad you came. You know, you made quite an impression with your little... Feat.” Tom said. “It’s all over the news.” Arturr was confused, and Tom could see it. It had been a constant feeling since he arrived at the surface. “Come on in, I’ll show you.”

Tom walked in, and Arturr followed. Inside, Tom turned on the TV. The news was playing a recording of Arturr’s rescue in a small Californian town, not too far from Mercy Reef. Arturr was shocked not by the feat itself, as any human would, but at the sight of himself in that little square box. “What is this?! Is it like an oracle?” Arturr questioned, intrigued. Tom turned off the TV.

“Uh... Maybe it’s best if I explained this later. I got a feeling you’ll have a hard time understanding human behaviour. Are you hungry? What do you eat?”
 
It was taking forever for all the microphones to be set-up. Conner could only drink water and play with his name tag for so long. The crew in charge of setting this up had been milling about for awhile now, and they looked ready to commence the press junket.
Conner had spent most of his time conversing with Don Hall. He was a lot more calm then his brother, and he possessed a much more worldly view on things. Don and Hank had been looking for chances to help the community for awhile. They wanted a way to reinvent their image seperately, and they saw combat training and martial arts as a means to do so. While Don had wandered most of Asia, Hank had never left America in their time apart.
In the twenty minutes of conversation, Conner also noticed how much Don liked Chloe. Don would never admit it, but Conner knew how he felt. It was only until Conner brought up the idea of a potential relationship with Chloe that Don got queit again. He had been fumbling around with his drink for quite some time. So Conner decided to use this oppurtunity to bring up the topic.

"So, how about that Chloe Sulli-"

"No."

"What? I was just going to-"

"Ask me if I wanted to date Chloe."

"No, I was just asking if you've ever had-"

"A girlfriend? Sure. Once."

"What happ-"

"I moved to Tibet. She stayed in Fresno."

"What's with the Siberian treatment?"

Don frowned and slid back inot his seat. He looked out into the press seating with a dissapointed expression.

"She's still a sore spot in my life. I tried contacting her after I got back, but I guess the year I spent in Asia only served to disconnect me from me from my own home. She had become a different person with a different out look on life. I was feeling a bit lonely, so when Hank mentioned this whole "youth group" thing I thought it would be a great way to get back in touch with him."

Conner frowned. He was only trying to get Chloe a boyfriend. If he had realized how overly sappy Don was going to get, he wouldn't have asked. Now he was depressed and anxious to get this whole press junket over with.
 
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