The "Ultimate DC Universe" RPG: Season 2.0

[Karem-Knight]

General Zod, of the kryptonian army walked into Van Mor’s office, supreme council member sat down watching the view of Kandor, the great capital of Krypton, looming over the city with pride and distinction. [FONT=&quot]“You wanted to see me, Van Mor?” [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
“Yes, Dru Zod, please sit down.”

General Zod did so, in front of Van Mor, the council member sat opposite him, recently Zod had been gathering supporters in a more mundane and deceive Kryptonian government, this of course worried Van Mor, but came as a blessing for Zod’s military co ordinations, Van Mor had news of a plan only Zod could take under.

“Listen, we have received information that Yon Pol’s successor Gal Thorn is planning an all out invasion on Kandor, causing the city to simply vanish, how he has managed to under take the technology we do not know, but what we do know is that he has been located organizing a small group of specialists of the old army, that you managed to take out.”

Van Mor handed the paper over to Zod, “He is somewhere in this area of the city, near the slums where the poor recede in most, he should be quite difficult to find we are intrusting you, General.”

[FONT=&quot]“Of course, Van Mor.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
“Oh and General, it is essential that you keep him alive, we are sending him to the Phantom Zone, so please make sure he is alive.”


[FONT=&quot]“Yes, my lord.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Walking out to the door, Zod could not help but suspect something wrong and strange that the council would select him, he did win an award for bravery but besides that, why so quickly for this plan?

Ignoring the plan he walked straight outside of the council’s large hall and stormed towards the military centre, calling into his communicator, [FONT=&quot]“Ursa, prepare our troops we have a plan for our next assignment, meet me in the base and we prepare for it, I have strict orders from Van Mor to keep this plan, secret and fast.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Yes my lord.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
An hour later:

Zod arrived, putting on his military equipment on with his machine gun in the back, his right hand man Non came into the room at the same time, looking over his small band of troops, little over a 100 men for the biggest assignment to protect Krypton in over centuries.

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Listen, men, we only have a few short minutes, we must deal with the slum area of Kandor in seconds, the poor will be hostile, so fire at will they will not be a loss to Kandor, but clean up your tracks after doing so, we will go in there on foot and on tank, no planes so that the rest of Kandor are not alarmed, I will be travelling on a hover craft to on look the ongoing battle and retrieve the weapon that is causing all this disruption, the man you are looking for is Gal Thorn, second in command to Yon Pol, now in charge once we eliminate him the threat will be over, you understand men? Krypton is[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]reeling on you!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Looking on the men, confused but not afraid they saluted Zod, [FONT=&quot]“Go!” [/FONT]They marched out, preparing for the battle of their lives; they must do this quickly and easily, Non and Ursa followed Zod on their way to the craft.

“If any of the men do not co operate you can shoot on site, I want this mission under strict confidentiality, we cannot have any bad publicity and the weapon it’s self has to be handled carefully, under stand Non?”
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Yes Sir!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
“Ursa command the troops from the craft and on look the on coming battle, any major occurrences inform me.”


[FONT=&quot]“Yes Sir!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Entering the craft it soon lifted up, up into the skies and followed the troops on their way towards victory and to free Krypton from the resistance that has plagued it for centuries, it gave Zod a smile on his face, the more trust he gained the more and more chance he had to over rule the planet and take it for himself.

Soon they were above the slums of Kandor, [FONT=&quot]“General the troops are in the area!” [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Begin the search for Gal Thorn and the weapon, Gal Thorn must be kept alive, no matter the costs, eliminate all threats immediately.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Yes Sir.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Zod stood in the craft awaiting quickly, for any sign of the weapon, this was the hardest mission of his life, he cannot fail this, the council, all of Krypton would have his head for this, execution, no they out lawed that years ago, for a threat worse then that!

The Phantom Zone.

Only a handful of criminals had been sent there, forced to be in a prime condition but in isolation for the rest of their lives, waiting for the Zone to be destroyed for entirety, it was hell.

Waiting for the sign of any clue, it came to him quickly and Non came with the good news, [FONT=&quot]“General, they’ve found the device, and Gal Thorn but he seems to be making a run for it and keep threaten to use it unless we surrender!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
This was a hard one, he then whispered something to Ursa’s ear, [FONT=&quot]“Prepare for landing, inform the troops to surrender but to be ready at any time for more battle, I will personally negotiate with Gran Thorn.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Yes Sir.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Non slowly landed the craft to the dusty and hellish area of the slums, people wore cloths decades old compared to Krypton’s current system, they gave birth with out a matrix and people ate raw food and hunted, several council members have tried to help the people and unite Krypton, the poor refused and the resistance felt insulted by this and started attacking the city for kindness, this was now all at an end.

Zod walked from the craft alone, seeing a desperate strong but terrified man holding a small device and a handgun.

[FONT=&quot]“Gran Thorn!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
“Stay away, Zod! Or else I will blow the entire city up, you don’t know how powerful this thing is, Krypton will be useless without this, don’t make me, millions will die, and you will be executed, I wouldn’t think about it Zod, you have no idea what you are doing.”

[FONT=&quot]“Gran Thorn, listen just hand the device to me, and you can run free, I will say you have escaped and you can live free as a citizen of Krypton under a different name!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
“NO! I’m no coward I will not bow down to you!”

[FONT=&quot]“Very well!”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
BANG!

Gran Thorn was shot, straight into the head, unconscious, unable to move a single part of his body, frozen stiff like. This was a chemical made so that prisoners can be captured but with no way of escaping, they would live the rest of their life in that position.

Zod walked over to the body of Gran Thorn, bending down and taking the canister, it was a small and lignified weapon with a lot more computer data, it seemed so strange like it was from the future.

[FONT=&quot]“What is this….”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]“Greetings, General Zod!”[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]“BRAINIAC!”

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]“Yes, General, you have activated my presence, you have fallen into my trap. Now that Krpypton is in an unstable situation it is time to take my leave, and yoy have become the purple guinea pig.”[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot]“What are you talking about?”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]“I have managed to create a perfect holo gram of several people, I chose Van Mor to inform you of a disruptions that he really knew nothing about, Gran Thorn found the device and I used him to carry it, knowing you, he would end up dead allowing me to frame you. [/FONT]​

​

“What, this is ridiculous you wouldn’t DARE!”

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]“Wouldn’t I?”[/FONT]​

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]​

All of a sudden the device started growing bright green, soon the entire slums were blinded by the light, and the device floated into mid air before speeding into the centre of Kandor.

“No!”

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Soon, a large BOOM! And like that the capital of Krypton was gone.[/FONT]

 

[Charlie No-One]

Silence falls over me, followed by dread, as the woman speaks my name. I should have never risked it. At the very least, I could've bothered to adopt a disguise, if I had thought my actions through. But it's too late. She knows who I am, and that I risked my life to save her's. Once word leaks out... it could be contradictual to my careless billionaire facade, and when people start to consider Bruce Wayne going around, using considerable skill to save others... well, it wouldn't take long to put two and two together.

However, as I look upon her, I put on as much charm as I can. With any luck, I can keep the performance up, and prevent myself from that kind of unwanted exposure.

"Really? I get that alot,", I joke, with a chuckle, helping the woman up onto her feet. "But in all seriousness, I do apologize for the coat, and I'll be more than happy to pay for a new one, Miss...?"

"Well seeing as the jacket was made just for me, I'm afraid it was irreplaceable," she said, giving the millionaire a dirty look. Harleen didn't expect to run into a karate chopping Bruce Wayne today or at all for that matter. She only read about him in the paper and didn't know quite what to expect. From the coat comment, she obviously made him feel bad. "I haven't eaten today. You can take me out to lunch if you really want to make it up to me..."

 

[trustyside-kick]

"I'm not going to join you. I stand for justice. I believe in protecting those who can't protect themselves against things like you. I don't care if it's me, or a whole league of people like me, you will be stopped."

Katar's gaze never breaks as he stares into Brother Blood's eyes, awaiting the killing blow. All the while, a single thought running through his mind.

I'm sorry, Shayera. Maybe next time.

IC:

"You...you deny my most gracious of offers? I give you your last chance to achieve forgiveness, and this is how you repay me? Oh, my friend...you need not worry about my days being numbered. You have just lived your last few seconds of life."

Brother Blood places his skull-crown back upon his head and he spits as Hawkman's feet. He expects Hawkman to do something. Anything. For he has been most facetious and misleading the duration of the fight. But he doesn't.

Oh well. Not that it really matters. Brother Blood has grown tired of sparing this one for so long, hoping to turn him. So he will suffer the Fate all others must share. Should he choose to not convert, he will meet Death instead.

"Should my hunches about your blood be correct, I believe I shall meet you in your next life. Perhaps then you will be more...intelligent."

Quicker than Hawkman could evade were he to try, Brother Blood grabs him by the shoulders, and they fly upward. Brother Blood stares into his eyes, but sees the man does not fear Death. Pity, Brother Blood may not enjoy this as much as he had hoped.

Without further stalling, Brother Blood takes a bite from Katar's neck once again, this time holding Katar still strongly. Katar's body flinches out of reaction, of course, but as Brother Blood's eyes re-open he cannot see the man's pain on his face. He pulls his head back, easing an immense amount of pain on Katar's neck.

"Still you do not scream? Still you do not ache for my forgiveness? What madness is this? What sort of...demon are you?"

Fearing the unexplainable and the unknown, Brother Blood drops Hawkman from the sky, hoping for the large trees and their branches below to break his body for him. He wishes no longer to be tainted by the winged warrior's presence.

"This city is beyond my saving. It is so impure that is has started to infect its very people. Yes...that is it. Not even the gracious Church of Blood can do anything now. I require more followers to cleanse this city. Gotham City, I weep for you..."

As if bidding the very city itself farewell, Brother Blood flies away.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Plummeting toward the ground, Katar could hardly even feel the pain anymore. As the air rushed past him and he was being furiously pulled away from the strangely calming clouds in the sky, he knew that he should be scared. Rightfully so. But he wasn't.

All he could hear was the wind beating against his body and faint screams and shouts of the frantic crowd below him. It wasn't long before the jagged branches of the trees below took Katar into their arms, his bones breaking and body twisting as he tumbled through the brush and finally collided with the ground. He had passed out in the mean time, but he felt every last scratch and break.

-----

"Is he dead?"

"D'ya see how he fell? Of course he's dead!"

"What the hell is he?"

"I think he just saved my life"

The voices faded in and out. Katar tried opening his eyes, but to no avail. Dull pain coursed through his body like fire. He couldn't move. He was hardly able to breathe and his heart had slowed down to a crawl.

Hawkman lay dying.

-------

"Quick man, take a picture!"

"Holy #$#!, he just moved!"

"AAH! It's still alive!"

"Someone call 911!"

A soft, yet strong hand was placed upon Katar's shoulder, the touch itself seemingly reviving him. He could feel the gentle hand, even through the resurfacing barrage of pain. And he knew, that he needed to grab a hold of this hand. He needed to fight. He knew.

"I said somebody call 911! A..Are you okay?"

"S...Shaye..."

Once again, the darkness overwhelmed him.






​

 

[Spike_x1]

The transition from one place to another was a complete blur in Neutron's scattered mind as his form took flight from the wasteland of Swan Heights, and landed into the center of Metropolis. All attention seemed to be on Tryon as he looked around him; many people were trying to shield their eyes from his intense glow, while others squinted, unable to take their gaze elsewhere. For the moment, Neutron appeared to mean no harm, until what passed for his own eyes set sight on a display that was set up in a toystore's window.

Superman action figures. Superman T-shirts. Superman blankets. Superman posters.

"Nnnghh... K-kill... yooouu!" the nuclear monster stammered, his voice coming out in bursts of high and low pitched tones that drilled through the air. The glass window at the front of the store began to noticeably warp its shape under the heat that Tryon's anger was causing. The merchandise within was also being set on fire when the shrill sound of a woman's scream erupted from behind Neutron.

"Help! He's going to kill us all! Blow us all up!" So lost in her hysterical cries of panic, the woman failed to notice that she had pried Neutron's attention away from the store display, and the creature was now stalking her; his footsteps turning the street into molten rock where each foot fell, until he was right behind her. Raising a fist swirling with energy, just as he was about to atomize the fearful woman, she disappeared right out from under Neutron's nose.

At superspeed, the man of steel arrived at the scene and had swiftly taken the lady from out of Neutron's reach, and all of the other bystanders in the immediate area, and left them at a safe distance several blocks away from the possible fight that Clark feared would ensue. Returning instantly, Superman appeared behind Neutron and called to get the villain's attention, "We've met before, haven't we, Nathan? You blame Blackrock and I for your condition. I understand that. Nevertheless, what you've done, the people you've injured and killed; I won't let you continue and get away with that.

In a burst of power, Neutron was on Superman in a flash. "Superman!" For the first time since his accident, Tryon's words were as clear as day.

A stray blast of nuclear fire had hit a parked car's gas tank, which ruined a portion of the street they were flying above, but it might as well have been a beam of heat vision, as far as Superman was concerned. If he hadn't have whisked the people away from the scene, who knows how many innocents might have been killed or hurt by the destruction being waged by the two combatants? He was just as responsible for the chaos as Tryon. Floating only a few dozen feet above the streets of Metropolis, Superman and Neutron had been trading blows for a number of minutes before Neutron found an opening and wrapped his fingers around Superman's neck.

The fiery hand at Superman's throat wasn't so much choking him as it was blistering his neck. He could feel that the collar of his uniform had already been burned into oblivion under Neutron's touch, and it wouldn't be long before Superman's very skin followed suit.

And Neutron's grip was strong. Really strong. He had to be at, or very close to, Superman's own level of strength. Try as he might, Clark couldn't simply fly out of Tryon's steel-like grasp. Finally, the Man of Tomorrow put all of his strength into his fists and let loose...

"BACK OFF!" With a resounding boom that shattered windows all around them, Superman's attack knocked Neutron down and into the wreckage of the car that had exploded mere moments before. Taking a deep breath, Superman looked down at the stunned form of Neutron. "I may be stronger, but I know that I can't physically best you without causing another explosion like the one that destroyed Swan Heights." The air around Superman's mouth seemed to be steaming, and frost formed around his lips as he continued, "So the next best thing to do is..."

Without another word, a heart stopping blast of Arctic Breath began to encase Neutron and all of the wreckage around him in a large block of ice. Not waiting to see if the nuclear menace would break free, the Man of Steel flew downward and dug his hands into the ice's surface and picked it up, and carried it into the sky. Moments later, outside of the Earth's atmosphere, Superman carefully positioned Neutron's icy prison in geosynchronous orbit above Metropolis. For a number of minutes, Superman simply observed the block of ice and the monstrosity within, making certain that Tryon was in no danger of perishing. Clark's estimates had been spot-on, to his satisfaction; because the energies of Neutron's body were self-sustaining, he didn't require heat or air to survive, and the cold vacuum of space would keep the ice from decaying. In a few moments, Superman would leave Tryon in orbit and return to Metropolis to tell the proper authorities of Neutron's whereabouts and let them handle it appropriately, to retrieve him and imprison him effectively. And then repairs to the small block of the city where the fight had taken place would be in order. Clark didn't have any doubts that Lois had already gotten a head start on the story, so he didn't have any worries about writing his own article.

Floating above the planet and looking at it all below him, Superman would have whistled in awe at the sight, if there had been any air. Sure is pretty up here.

 

[Green Lantern]

Tony Zucco was sitting on his leather couch with the leftovers from the nights lasagne. "Mmm Adriana you out did yourself tonight. Excellente."

He looked over at his raven haired wife, sitting next to him, as he picked up the remote. "Anythin' worth watchin tonight?" He flipped through the channels before stopping on a documentary of Costa Rica. Just as the show was talking about the Arenal volcano, the phone rang, and Tony picked it up off the cushion next to him.

"Zucco here."

"Ton. Its me. Bad news bout the circus."

"What bad news Moe?"

"Haly refuses to pay the insurance."

"Hmph. Make it so that they have an accident. Clown car explosion or som thin."

Just as he hung up, the phone rang again.

"Zucco."

“Hey, Tony It's me, Corrigan, I'm in!"

"Good. Keep your head bout you Jimmy. Got any other names for me yet? Gordon needs a lesson, and I think family of one of his 'untouchables' will do."

 

[Karem-Knight]

Tony Zucco was sitting on his leather couch with the leftovers from the nights lasagne. "Mmm Adriana you out did yourself tonight. Excellente."

He looked over at his raven haired wife, sitting next to him, as he picked up the remote. "Anythin' worth watchin tonight?" He flipped through the channels before stopping on a documentary of Costa Rica. Just as the show was talking about the Arenal volcano, the phone rang, and Tony picked it up off the cushion next to him.

"Zucco here."

"Ton. Its me. Bad news bout the circus."

"What bad news Moe?"

"Haly refuses to pay the insurance."

"Hmph. Make it so that they have an accident. Clown car explosion or som thin."

Just as he hung up, the phone rang again.

"Zucco."

“Hey, Tony It's me, Corrigan, I'm in!"

"Good. Keep your head bout you Jimmy. Got any other names for me yet? Gordon needs a lesson, and I think family of one of his 'untouchables' will do."

Resting my hand on the booth and looking around me trying to check if there are any of the good cops, really ****ing rare in this city, but still, got to make sure.

“Well, I can’t be sure but I think the S.W.A.T guy, O’Hara is on the team, I only just recently got in, literally just this second. When I find out the rest of the team, which should be pretty soon. Once I find out I’ll call ya.”

[FONT=&quot]“Okay, good thing, Jimmy. Thanks for calling,” [/FONT]

Just as about as he hands up, I stop him; “Woah, Ton wait up, I need to know about my…insurance policy, ya know I’m taking a pretty big risk for you..”

 

[Andy C.]

ex Luthor

Lex stepped out of the limo and onto the tarmac, where his private jet was waiting for him. Overall, the visit to Arkham was an amusing diversion; the Calendar Man and the ventriloquist were particularly entertaining. Unfortunately, these were not the breed of freaks he needed for his 'alternative' to the Society. They would play their parts, however, when the bombs really started to fall.

That is not to say the trip was completely without merit. While he was there, he was privy to the police files regarding two particularly interesting criminals. 'The Scarecrow' and his use of fear-inducing hallucinogens caught Luthor's eye; he would need someone who could easily cause mass hysteria among the public. The downside was that the Scarecrow was never apprehended, and hadn't appeared in months.

More than anyone else, the one who really fascinated Lex was the man who had been arrested the night before: the Joker. No known real name or history, no recognizable motivations for his actions, and charges of everything from double-parking to several, several counts of first-degree murder. Everything about the Joker was unsettling, and that made him perfect for Luthor's plans. His Legion would need a poster child, and who better?

Of course, the Joker was behind bars now, and would not be easy to convince even after being conveniently freed in due time. But Lex Luthor knew that eventually the clown would see things his way. There was no one on the planet that Lex couldn't sway to his side if he truly wanted it.

Which reminded him...

"Send order to catering staff," he spoke into the blue-tooth earpiece connected to the L-Soft Mk II back at LexCorp, "Sukiyaki steak, calamari, and blowfish on tomorrow night's menu. I want Mr. Ducard to feel right at home for our appointment."

It will be done, Mr. Luthor, responded the electronic voice of the L-Soft Mk II. Truly one of his most advanced creations, it was an AI operating system that networked every facet of LexCorp's databases and gave orders based on Luthor's own psychological profile. It left the major projects to him, of course, but it made the day-to-day running of his company much easier...especially recently, when a few hours of patching had increased its capacity exponentially.

While you were away, Mr. Luthor, there was an unexpected break-in at S.T.A.R. Labs. I am still scanning multiple government and private databanks to identify the culprit, but the results are obvious. Sample K19-38 has been stolen.

The Kryptonite! Damn it!

That sample was absolutely vital for dozens of projects he had been planning. He had devised to have his own men secure the Kryptonite within the week, but now someone had beaten him to it. Indirectly, they had stolen from Lex Luthor himself, and whoever had done it would suffer for it.

Above all, Lex needed that Kryptonite back...especially if he planned on manufacturing his own flavors of it.

"Thank you, L-Soft," Luthor said, hiding his extreme frustration as he boarded the jet. "I want you to send out a summons for two of our operatives: Mr. Orr and Giganta. Tell them to meet me in my office in three hours."
​

 

[MST3K 4ever]

ex Luthor

Lex stepped out of the limo and onto the tarmac, where his private jet was waiting for him. Overall, the visit to Arkham was an amusing diversion; the Calendar Man and the ventriloquist were particularly entertaining. Unfortunately, these were not the breed of freaks he needed for his 'alternative' to the Society. They would play their parts, however, when the bombs really started to fall.

That is not to say the trip was completely without merit. While he was there, he was privy to the police files regarding two particularly interesting criminals. 'The Scarecrow' and his use of fear-inducing hallucinogens caught Luthor's eye; he would need someone who could easily cause mass hysteria among the public. The downside was that the Scarecrow was never apprehended, and hadn't appeared in months.

More than anyone else, the one who really fascinated Lex was the man who had been arrested the night before: the Joker. No known real name or history, no recognizable motivations for his actions, and charges of everything from double-parking to several, several counts of first-degree murder. Everything about the Joker was unsettling, and that made him perfect for Luthor's plans. His Legion would need a poster child, and who better?

Of course, the Joker was behind bars now, and would not be easy to convince even after being conveniently freed in due time. But Lex Luthor knew that eventually the clown would see things his way. There was no one on the planet that Lex couldn't sway to his side if he truly wanted it.

Which reminded him...

"Send order to catering staff," he spoke into the blue-tooth earpiece connected to the L-Soft Mk II back at LexCorp, "Sukiyaki steak, calamari, and blowfish on tomorrow night's menu. I want Mr. Ducard to feel right at home for our appointment."

It will be done, Mr. Luthor, responded the electronic voice of the L-Soft Mk II. Truly one of his most advanced creations, it was an AI operating system that networked every facet of LexCorp's databases and gave orders based on Luthor's own psychological profile. It left the major projects to him, of course, but it made the day-to-day running of his company much easier...especially recently, when a few hours of patching had increased its capacity exponentially.

While you were away, Mr. Luthor, there was an unexpected break-in at S.T.A.R. Labs. I am still scanning multiple government and private databanks to identify the culprit, but the results are obvious. Sample K19-38 has been stolen.

The Kryptonite! Damn it!

That sample was absolutely vital for dozens of projects he had been planning. He had devised to have his own men secure the Kryptonite within the week, but now someone had beaten him to it. Indirectly, they had stolen from Lex Luthor himself, and whoever had done it would suffer for it.

Above all, Lex needed that Kryptonite back...especially if he planned on manufacturing his own flavors of it.

"Thank you, L-Soft," Luthor said, hiding his extreme frustration as he boarded the jet. "I want you to send out a summons for two of our operatives: Mr. Orr and Giganta. Tell them to meet me in my office in three hours."
​

Giganta!

Doris stops off at coffee house and picks up a latte. She then begins to read a copy of the Daily Planet.

Just then her Blackberry vibrates.

She checks it and the messge says, "Luthor requests you meet him at his Lexcorp office in three hours."

Doris smirks and sips on her latte.

I have time I'll finish my latte and be on my way.

She finishes her latte and summons a cab.

Doris gets in the cab and says, "Lexcorp towers."

Once the cab drops her off she enters the towers and shows the message to the recepitionist. Who ushers her to Lex's office.

She leaves Doris who admires the view.

And to think I can see all of this by standing on my own 2 feet. My my Doris you have come a long way.

 

[Byrd Man]

Ultimate

Metropolis

I sit on the floor of my hotel room, stripped naked and crossed-legged. The candlelight is the only source of light in the room. So far, my mental powers have been able to stop bullets and knives. And the mind, like every other muscle, must be exercised to gain strength. All thirteen volumes of The Art of War are scattered around me. I've read them before, but I find new lessons in each re-reading. I also practice my meditation in this time, I think about my life. All the people I've killed. All the women I've physically loved and the one woman who managed to get my heart. She died a few years ago, breast cancer got her. The boys, Joey and Grant are living with foster parents in San Diego. I secretly check in on them every now and then, they have a good life.

BZZZZTTT

My cellphone vibrates from across the room, I get up and walk across the room to pick it up.

"Yeah."

"It's me. Did you retrive the package?"

"Ahh, my faceless employer. Yes, I stole it yesterday night. I was waiting on your call."

"Excellent. And it's still in it's lead lined case?"

"Yes. Call me crazy, but getting cancer isn't high on my 'to-do list'."

He doesn't laugh at all. Whoever this man is, he's humorless and all business.

"Meet me in an hour. On the observation deck of The Emperor Building. It'll be deserted this time of night. Bring the package."

The phone clicks as he hangs up.

"Goodbye to you too then."

I put my cellphone back on the table and look around.

"Well, guess I better get dressed. Don't want to scare anyone with my trouser snake."
​

 

[Feature]

REX TYLER: HOURMAN
Season IV - Epilogue


Rex sat in his apartment and stared at the wall. He wasn't looking at anything in particular. He wasn't even thinking much. He was just staring. He was just exisiting...

He hadn't done much of anything else in days. Stubble had begun to sprout from his chin. He rarely changed clothes. He showered even less. He didn't even like to be awake.

BING BONG

Rex was startled by the sound of his doorbell. He sat up and for a second, had the crazy idea that he should jump out the window. Who could it be? Not the police... surely they couldn't know what he'd done. Then who?

BING BONG

Cautiously approaching the door, Rex peered through the peephole and saw Amy, formerly from Bannermain Pharmaceuticals, on the other side. He breathed a sigh of relief and flung the door open.

"Good. You're alive."

She sounded pissed.

"Amy... hi. Um... what did you want?"

"You haven't answered my phone calls."

"I'm sorry. I was... I went out of town for a bit. To my cottage."

"You're back now. Why didn't you call me? I left a message. Several of them."

"I... I don't know. I didn't get them."

"Bull. Don't lie to me, Rex. At least have the decency to be honest."

Rex felt ashamed.

"I want to come in."

"No."

"Why not, Rex?"

"I just don't... want you in here."

Amy sighed.

"We were supposed to do something the other day, Rex. Remember? Finally, after all these years, we were supposed to do something. What the hell happened?"

Rex had taken Miraclo and LSD, then killed a policeman. That's what had happened.

"I know. I'm sorry. I am. But I... I..."

"Tell me that you don't like me, Rex Tyler. I won't be hurt. Just tell me that you don't like me and I'll go. Be a man and tell me. I won't make a scene. I don't want you leading me on anymore."

"God, Amy... that's not it. No. That's not it at all."

"Then what is it? Give me a good reason right now."

"I can't... my life is not nice. It's not good. I'm not a nice person and I... I don't deserve you. It wouldn't be right to have you with me. It wouldn't be fair."

"Wouldn't be fair to who?"

Rex tried valiantly to fight back his tears.

"I love you. I know I do. And I don't want you to be a part of this. I wouldn't do that to someone I truly loved. I've ruined my life, Amy... it isn't what it should be."

"Rex... life is never what we thought it would be. Not for anyone. Not ever."

After a long silence, Amy grabbed Rex by the sides of his face and kissed him passionately. When at last they parted, she held on to him and spoke softly.

"Don't let me walk away from here tonight, Rex. There is something between us. Don't be foolish. Don't let it go away. Don't waste it. Let me in your life. You don't need to hide from me. You don't need to."

After a moment, Amy crossed the threshold and Rex closed the door.

He'd finally let someone in.

 

[trustyside-kick]

OOC: Previously...

Spoiler

IC:

The irony, of where the location of his most sought out of desires, is extreme. All this time, the Flame of Py'tar has rested peacefully in the same location, all these eons since its creation. The Manhunter ship Despero hijacked lands onto the surface of this large asteroid, some may call a dwarf planet because of its mass, and Despero can almost taste its power. All this time, located on an asteroid between the Sun and Mercury.

Legend has it that the terrain that this asteroid is composed of, is not like any other planet. Its birth takes place in the center of the Sun; the birth of the Great Flame. All that now stands in Despero's way, is the Cult of Elders who religiously roam the entrances leading to the Flame of Py'tar. It is to Despero's benefit, that he encounters one so soon; he has nothing to worry.

"You seek what many beings seek. However, none have achieved such a desire. How are you, then, any different, traveler?"

"My heart burns with passion; an undying passion to consume the Forever-Burning Flame."

"Your heart shall be put to the test, then, my friend. As are all beings are. Come this way."

As if by magic, a passageway is revealed with the mere gesture of the robed Old Mystic, and Despero follows him as he leads him to his destiny. The Old Mystic, as the two travel around the firey rock-like tomb, tells Despero of stories of beings who had previous failed. But that is just what they are to Despero; stories. He expects no less than the fact that all who have tried have failed. The Flame of Py'tar is his destiny, and his alone. The Old Mystic stops.

"Beyond this door, is the object which you seek. Now, tell me...is this truly what you want? Do you really think The Great Flame will deem you worthy? Or shall I show you the way back?"

"I can think of nothing more glorious, than to bathe in its power."

"Very well."

With one slow gesture, the rock door is opened. The end of the tunnel, is engulfed with life emitting from one potent source in the distance; the Flame of Py'tar. Despero wears a cocky smile as he walks down the tunnel, the Old Mystic smile too, only he wears a devilish one.​

​

IC:

The remainder of the tunnel is glowing intensely, and the Flame in which words cannot describe how strong a desire it is, is not too far away from Despero's grasp right now. Soon he will bathe in its glory, and become one with its soothing, burning sensation. Today, Destiny and Fate intertwine in unison. Today, Despero becomes whole.

"In a few moments, all that exists, throughout the universes and even the infamous Source Wall, will be known to me and me alone. In a few moments...the cosmos will be that much closer to my tightening grip."

And then, Despero sees it. He stands in complete awe of its power and emitting light. He walks forward, until he can walk no further. There are no sturdy rocks for him to continue traveling, all that is before him is the Flame of Py'tar in its free and violent potent form.

"You have been expecting me, Great Flame, as I have you. Thousands...millions have come, seeking your raw power, and all have failed. They were weak; incompetent; pathetic. I am none of that. I am Despero, and none are more worthy than I."

In one graceful leap, Despero dives into the Great Flame. The flame changes from a orange glow, to an intense blue, and finally emits a firey hot white flame. No screams echo throughout its vast walls; no cries. A laugh. There is simply a laugh. And as the laugh continues, it enhances, becoming louder and louder; almost as loud as thunder.

"What is this?"

The Old Mystic feels the very ground he stands on, the very asteroid, quake and thunder. He walks over to the entrance of the dark tunnel, and as he listens closely, through all the rock crumbling and natural gases spewing from the geysers of the asteroid, he hears but a laugh.

"Can this...be?"

Out walks Despero, transformed and and more powerful than ever. The Old Mystic of the Cult of Elders stands in complete confusion and awe. Despero walks past the Old Mystic, a smile upon his face, and stops as they cross each other. He turns his head over to the Old Mystic chuckling.

"You believed I would perish..."

Despero's third eye glows, and the Old Mystics starts to scream.

"...now you will be the one who perishes..."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

The Old Mystic screams madly, unable to control what has come over him. He feels his joints moving against his will, and after Despero has had is fun, he crushes the Old Mystic inward like a metal can.

"Interesting...but merely one of my new gifts..."

In the blink of Despero's third eye, the asteroid itself blows up into oblivion. In the remains Despero merely floats in space, himself lost in his own mind.

The knowledge...the power...this pleases me...

 

[Spike_x1]

The entire floor of the luxury hotel room seemed to shake when the barbell was finally put to rest as Bane finished his workout. Grabbing a towel, he wiped the sweat from his brow and proceeded to the shower. Even as the water cascaded over his muscular body, Bane's mind was continuously focused on the course of events that he had been setting in motion. A great number of criminals who formed the base foundations of the Monjoni crime family, and several others, had been systematically eliminated by Bane and had seemed to the rest of the world to have disappeared without a trace. Word had seemed to have been kept relatively quiet, but the mastermind knew full well that the various gangs of Gotham City were becoming more and more desperate to find capable dealers, pimps, and pushers to keep their money flowing.

Hours later, in a part of town that had only weeks before been swarming with drug dealing scum, Bane was pleased to only be able to find a single dealer in an entire square block. Bane had watched the short, squat man from the shadows of an alleyway for a number of minutes before he whispered to get the dealer's attention; "My friend, I think you have what I've been looking for."

"Eh?" The criminal looked over his shoulder in the direction of Bane's voice coming from the alley. "Man, whatever you want, I got!" Looking from side to side to make sure that the coast was clear, the man slowly strolled into the shadows. "Hey man, where are yo-ACK!"

Without a word, the dealer was whisked off of his feet and into Bane's powerful hands. "When next you speak to your employers, tell them that their time in power will soon be at an end. Of course, we will have to wait until your jaw is mended and you find your way to a hospital on your broken legs." Silently and efficiently, Bane snapped the bones in the dealer's lower legs and jaw with his bare hands, and returned to the comfort of the hotel soon after.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Maggie and I are in the squadcar, I'm driving while she stares out the window.

I light up a cigarette and she crinkles her nose and cracks the window.

"You know there's cyanide gas in cigarette smoke? That's the same stuff they use in the gas chamber."

I take a deep drag off the cigarette before exhaling the smoke in Maggie's direction.

"Real mature, Jim."

I smile and place the cigarette back in my mouth.

BZZTTT!

The cell phone in my pocket starts to vibrate. I hold the wheel with one hand while I grab my phone with my free hand.

Incoming Call: Restricted

I know who it is even before I answer it.

"Yeah?"

"Jim. It's me, I got some news. Zucco's got a big ass shipment of snow coming in tonight at the docks. He's got a crew going down there to pick it up."

"Is he gonna be there?"

"Hell no. He's claiming that he's going to Central City to visit his sick momma. That's suppose to be his alibi."

"Are you in the crew?"

"No. I'm just helping with the bookies and the protection rings. Tony don't trust me enough to let me near the snow."

"Alright. We'll be there, make sure you're as far away from there as possible."

"Will do."

Cris hangs up and Maggie stares at me as I drive.

"Well? What did he say?"

"Zucco's expecting a cocaine shipment tonight."

"You believe your undercover?"

"Yes."

"Who is it?"

"You know I can't tell you. There are only three people who know who he really is. As much as I trust you, Maggie. I just can't tell you."

She scowls a bit and looks out the window.

"Fine....what do we do now?"

A smile slowly appears on my face as I stop at a redlight.

"We round up the possy. Tell them tonight, we're hunting scumbags."​

 

[trustyside-kick]

IC:

Epilogue​

Become is dazed as he floats in outer space. The Knowledge of the Cosmos are known to him and him alone. He knows how it all began, and if he closes his eyes and concentrates, he can even picture it. The Source, Creation, Life, and The Source Wall...all now known to Despero like a second language. It was just as he expected, only...not at the same time.

With all of this newfound knowledge at his disposal, Despero finally understands just how primitive and savage he really was. But now his mind is open; now it is clear. And although he still hungers for the bitter sweet taste of revenge for his people and the Green Lantern Corps, he finds yet another flaw in his previous plans; a time when he had a much more primitive mind.

His people's demise is what he desires for most, and he almost chuckles aloud at the evaluation of his previous plans. They are not worthy to die by his hand. They are so low in Despero's eyes and mind now, that to be their Destroyer would be but a disgrace to his newfound power. They are insignificant in that sense. But die, they so definitely shall.

This is when Despero turns his attention back to a previous memory; his encounter with the new recruit Green Lantern known as Hal Jordan. The very thought of him makes Despero swell with anger, as he recalls his embarrassing capture. While he did not show it before, he was truly embarrassed to be taken down by the likes of Jordan and two other Lanterns. So many more will feel his touch of death, that he is sure.

But what should become of this Jordan? He desires the rewards of revenge, but could killing the boy really be enough? What could be more tasteful than death for Despero's revenge?

Aha. A new idea comes to mind.

"I shall kill two birds with one, sharp, stone. The people of Earth, after they have succumbed to my enslavement, will serve me well. Yes. That is how I will make Jordan pay. The sector he watches so passionately will fall before his own two eyes; this I will make sure."

"And then, when all is well and done with Jordan, I shall use the people of Earth to destroy my own people. They are deemed unworthy to be annihilated by my hand, so they will be destroyed by the hands of a more primitive race."

"I will advance the technology of Earth with my knowledge of the cosmos, and lead a full scale war on Kalanor. And then, with such forces at my disposal...the Green Lantern Corps will crumble before my feet. I will serve Jordan's head to Ganthlet on a silver platter; personally of course. And then...my revenge will be complete."

Despero swells in pride and confidence in the brilliant plan he had just laid out for himself to execute. His third eye glows, and he teleports through space, arriving in Earth's solar system. Their moon is but a few hundred miles away from him. However, this celebration does not last long as he glances down at his soon to be prize and conquered world. Something has come to his attention.

He sense potent lifeforms in Earth's orbit and within its atmosphere with his telepathy. Jordan may be only the tip of the iceberg. So the question now is...how does one dispose of such a group?

"Of course..."

Despero's third eye glows, and in an instant, he is floating outside the Source Wall. He does not try to open it, for he would be a fool to try to do so. All who has come before him and tried such a deed have failed, succumbed to forever be binded with the Source Wall; their screams of agony and pain frozen on their faces. But what's behind the Source Wall...what is to remain hidden...is known to Despero.

"...this is my answer. This is the key. It is so simple, yet so satisfying at the same time. Heroes of Earth, beware...for Despero is coming for you."

Despero smiles with glee, and in a flash of time, he teleports away from the Source Wall.

TO BE CONTINUED...IN SEASON 3.0!

 

[Saved]

Rush Part I

I'm sitting on a chair in Alfred Sanders home, staring at the door of his apartment waiting for him to come home. The revolver in my hand is cold. I can feel it beneath my gloves, the deep groves of the handle, the finely smoothed metal of the barrel. It all feels so familiar to me. Too familiar.

I'm so tired of this game. Cat and mouse. To be honest, it bores me. I get a call, I meet the contractor. We make a deal, I stalk target. Days later, I shoot target, go back to contractor, get money, and the process starts all over again. How repetitive.

Where is the adventure in this life? Where did it go? Did it dissapear, or is it me who's changed? Has it really been that long? Have I really become that out of touch with things? Or is it that I've become more desensitized to a point where even murder doesn't keep my attention?

As I think to myself, my concentration is suddenly broken by the sound of the lock on the door opening. I watch the handle turn intently, my attention finally focused. As the door slowly opens, I watch Mr. Sanders walk in the door. He's talking on his cell phone. How typical. He doesn't even notice me. I guess it's as good a time to do it as any. Just wait for him to close that door.

"Hello, Al." I say in a calm voice. "Why don't you have a seat?"

"W-Who are you?" He stammers, his phone dropping from his hand and falling to the ground. As his phone impacts the hard wood floors, it breaks into three large pieces. I smile beneath my mask and look up at him, waving my gun back and forth in front of him like a finger.

"Now, look at what you've done. I'll bet that was an important call."

"What do you want?" He asks as his body shakes.

"The same thing everyone in this world wants." I respond vaguely. "Money. And like most people, I'll do anything for it. Even murder."

"Y-You're here to kill me?"

"Hm. Congradulations. Someone give this man a prize. Was it the fact that I'm wearing a mask alone in your house waiting for you to return? Or possibly the gun with a silencer attachment in my hand?"

"Who hired you?"

"What?"

"Who hired you?"

"Why should I tell you?" I say proudly, leaning back in the chair. It creaks loudly, almost as if it could break at any moment. Why the hell does a corporate lawyer have dimestore furniture?

"My last request. Every time a man is about to die, the killer offers the victim a last request. This is mine. Who hired you?" I take a deep sigh. This guy's good. Quoting chivilorous traditions to a mercenary. How poetic.

"Alright." I respond in a monotone. "Turn around and put your hands on your head. I'll tell you." The man complies without a complaint. He turns his back to me, and stares up at the ceiling, his hands gripping at the hair on his head. Poor guy. I almost feel bad for doing this.

"Well...who hired you?"

"Sorry, Al." I say raising the pistol, aiming the site at his heart. "Assassin's honor." I pull the trigger slowly, the loud click of the barrel shifting rings out loud for a second. Like the calm before the storm, I could sense a moment of pure silence, and then, BANG. The bullet fires from the gun and rips through his body. It penetrates the skin on his back, and makes its way through his torso until it reaches his heart. He drops to the ground like a sack of bricks.The bullet perfectly lodged itself in the upper cavity, and ripped through the inner walls. How do I know this? Because I planned it like that. And I never miss.

 

[Green Lantern]

Resting my hand on the booth and looking around me trying to check if there are any of the good cops, really ****ing rare in this city, but still, got to make sure.

“Well, I can’t be sure but I think the S.W.A.T guy, O’Hara is on the team, I only just recently got in, literally just this second. When I find out the rest of the team, which should be pretty soon. Once I find out I’ll call ya.”

[FONT=&quot]“Okay, good thing, Jimmy. Thanks for calling,” [/FONT]

Just as about as he hands up, I stop him; “Woah, Ton wait up, I need to know about my…insurance policy, ya know I’m taking a pretty big risk for you..”

Tony Zucco scuffs at this demand.

"Your insurance policy? How bout this? You f**k up you're dead. You do good, and you live. Capice?"

 

[Andy C.]

ex Luthor

The flight back from Gotham was uneventful, though he was still fuming over the loss of the Kryptonite to the unknown assailant. L-Soft had been running scans through databanks ranging from the FBI, to multiple facets of the CIA, to a few even scarier organizations that didn't even have initials. Finally, the computer had struck paydirt when it came across an Army black-ops program codenamed "Project: Deathstroke." Within minutes, L-Soft had gleaned all the information regarding the subject and matched it with the abilities displayed by the annoying thief from S.T.A.R. Labs.

So the man who stole the Kryptonite now had a face and a name. And once Mr. Orr and Giganta had arrived at his LexCorp office, he made it imperative that both the Kryptonite and 'Deathstroke' be brought to him personally.

"This man is not to be underestimated," he had told them, "the fact that he has even existed this long without my prior knowledge is a testimony to his abilities. Nevertheless, he has obtained an object that is critical toward every long-term goal I have. I want you to follow him and find out who he is working for, then secure both the object and the mercenary. Preferably, you can get him to cooperate willingly. If not...well, I'm sure that between the two of you, you can find all sorts of creative ways to bring him in."

Orr was the single best mercenary that Luthor had seen, yet he still had his doubts about whether he could actually last against Deathstroke (especially after reading the information about him which L-Soft had provided). The decision to bring Giganta in would not only ensure the needed muscle to subdue the thief, but also to keep her active and eager to work for him.

Now, however, he was trying not to think about the spy-vs-spy game he had entered. Now, he was stepping towards a stage inside the Metropolis Coliseum, a sports arena that he had rented for tonight's meeting.

After all, where else was he going to fit all fifteen-thousand members of the Society?

As he made his way through the crowds towards the dais on the center floor, the arena shook with resounding cheers. He knew that many prominent members of Metropolis' elite were in attendance, but the vast majority of these screaming fans were common men and women, working-class citizens who had read his book and believed in it as much as he did.

Granted, most of it was for pure spectacle this early in the game, but Lex knew that he had to make bold moves if he intended to steer the public away from the metahumans. Tonight, Lex Luthor would turn the world on its head.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "and to the thousands of supporters who cannot be here and are watching this at home...thank you. Your support for the cause is every bit as important as the people who will enact it. Without you, my dream for a better world would be just that-- a dream. But you are here because you believe in that dream, too. You believe in a world where people can live without fear or injustice. You believe...in Society!"

The crowd erupted again into raucous cheers.

"I know most of you are used to the fiery speeches of social reformers being matched with only red-tape and inaction. It seems that the stronger a man's convictions may be, the less he will actually be able to accomplish. This is not the case here.

"Look around you, if you will. Most of you are the working back-bone of this great country. Entrepeneurs, laborers, policemen, teachers. I see more than a few men and women out there wearing the proud uniforms of our country's military," he added, which elicited a respectful swell of applause. "You are the voice of our nation, but so many times that voice goes unheard by petty semanticists and weak-spined politicians. Fortunately, we all have friends in high places.

"Out there in the crowd you may notice Kansas Senator Pete Ross, one of Congress's most prominent rising stars. Also in attendance tonight is Five-Star General Wade Eiling, one of our military's most respected and visionary leaders. The scientific community is represented here by Professor Leonard Quintum, former head of the DNA P.R.O.J.E.C.T., and Doctor Thaddeus Sivana, a pioneer in countless fields of science. With their influence and your input, the Society will continue to grow, and we will make the difference that so many others have failed to make!"

Once again, the thousands in attendance roared with approval. Lex was working them up to a fever pitch, and he had to admit, they were motivating him as well. With this much support just in the initial stages, there would be no stopping them.

"Which brings me to the announcement that I called this convention in order to make.

"As you know, our country is preparing for an election, wherein the two major parties will nominate a pair of weak-willed sycophants who will shy away from every issue for fear of losing votes. America will continue to put forth more and more bland candidates while ignoring the larger stories...unless a difference is made.

"That is why tonight, the brave new world begins. That is why tonight, the Society will show the world how much of a change we intend to make..."

He held it in for just another moment, just to build the excitement a little more.

​

"That is why tonight...I am announcing my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States of America."

...and the crowd went wild.
​

 

[Eddie Brock]

IC: DETECTIVE JOHN GRAYSON

I'm out patrolling. It's the least I can do to keep from facing the hectic situation at home. Dick is all torn up about his mother, understandably. I am too, but I mask it with a sense of purpose - a sense that has been heightened by my new position on Gordon's 'Untouchables.'

It's this purpose which drives me to hunt down some of Zucco's boys. Finally, I get one alone. "Where are you headed?" I ask threateningly while grabbing him by the collar. "Back to Boss? Hmm?"

The thug spits at me. "I'm not afraid of you," he assures me. "You 'good' cops are so outnumbered - you stand no chance."

"I wouldn't count on it."

"Ha! I bet you wouldn't! You're all too busy with your self-righteousness to notice that one of your own is a traitor," he remarks.

Is he bluffing? It sure doesn't sound like it. If he's to be believed, one of the Untouchables is in Zucco's pocket. I find it hard to believe that someone like that could go overlooked - especially by someone as smart as Gordon - but it's not impossible. Dirty cops are everywhere, and there are plenty of people who would kill to have an inside man in the Untouchables.

Gordon's rattling the cages, and a lot of people don't like it. Well, wherever Jim goes, I'll follow. We'll clean up this city - even if it's the two of us against the world.
​

 

[Saved]

Rush Part II


Gotham, Docks.

So, here I sit in the dark by the crates on a pier in the middle of the freezing weather. I got a call from an interested employer. Says he needs someone with my track record. I understand completely. If I needed someone dead, I’d call me too.

I feel the cold winds rush through the fibers of my suit. I’m just glad I decided to play it nonchalant tonight and wear a trench coat. Keeps out the cold air and works as a suitable urban camouflage. I need to keep my cover, especially in a place like Gotham. Am I worried about being hurt? No. Am I worried about blowing my cover incase this is a trap? Barely.

I could care less if the employer was a hoax. In fact, part of me is hoping it is. I am so tired of the normalcy of my life. It’s always the same thing. Where are the days where I felt the thrill? The adrenaline pumping through my veins? Long gone, along with my brother.

As I adjust my position on the uncomfortable crate, I see a man walk under the light at the edge of the pier. It must be him. I slowly make my way around the crates, making little noise if any. The man continues to stand in his place, looking up and down from his watch as the minutes pass. After a few moments, I see the man throw his arms down, an aggravated look on his face.

“This is ridiculous.” He says, turning around. As he turns, he soon finds himself facing me. My hands are folded across my chest, a smile under my mask. “Deadshot?” He asks surprised.

“Who else?” I say proudly.

“Good. I thought you had blown me off.”

“We’ll see how the night goes.” He gives me an odd look, but quickly shrugs it off.

“Alright, Mr. Deadshot. My name is Phillip Cobb, and I have a job for you.”

“Of course you do.” I say apathetically. “Why else would you call me?”

“Yes, quite. In any event, I need you. You see, I need a few good men. And, by good, I don’t mean moral. You see, I intend on starting a clique here in Gotham. A gang of sorts. I’ve run into some hard times at my job, and recently, they have cut my pay. I can’t make it on my current wages, so I want to find an…alternate way to make money.”

“Yeah, that’s very interesting. So why are you wasting my time?”

“Well, I need someone I can trust. Someone who’s…experienced. I figured if I would hire someone, it’d be a mercenary. And, if I’m going to hire a merc, why not hire the best.”

“Yeah, I’m flattered.” I say with a dry tone. “But I’m still not getting why you need me.”

“I need you to be my hired security. Make sure me and my other members don’t get caught or hurt. You’re a back up plan, someone to watch our backs.”

“Mmh. And how many members do you have in this…gang of yours?”

“Um…well…none, as of yet. But, I figure with you on my side, people will start lining up.” I stare at the man blankly, my silence speaking for me. After a few moments, the man nervously coughs, trying to break the silence. “So…uh…what do you say?”

“Well,” I start. “I’ve thought it over, and I've made my decision. No.”

“What!” He exclaims. “Why not? If it’s about my current situation, fear not, you will get compensated. I swear it.”

“No. It has nothing to do with the money. I’m the best shot in the country. No, the world. You expect me to waste my talents on simple…theft?”

“Not theft, a gang! We could rule Gotham in only a years time!”

“I’m no watchmen. I don’t protect anyone. Not even myself.”

“So, you’re denying me?”

“In simple terms, yeah. I think I made it clear.” I turn my back to him, and begin walking away. I haven’t walked two steps before I hear the sound of the safety being slipped off a pistol. I look over my shoulder to see Cobb holding a small firearm pointed toward my head. A look of anger and desperation is on his face, his arm holding steady. A swift wind blows past us, causing my trench coat to flow in the breeze. I hear his teeth chatter. He must be cold. Good.

“I’m not letting you leave.”

“So what do you plan to do?” I ask in proud tone. “Shoot me?”

“If you don’t agree to help me, yes.” I smile beneath my mask. Finally, something different. I better savor this moment. It won’t come again. I slowly turn to the man, my hand reaching for the gun on my belt. I swiftly pull it off and hide it under the sleeve of the coat.

“You want to shoot me? Go ahead.” I look into the man’s eyes. He’s nervous. From experience, that means he’ll hesitate. And when someone hesitates, that leaves me with all the time in the world.

“Last chance. Join me…or I fill you with lead.”

“Well when you put it like that…no.”

“Fine!”

I see his finger go to pull on the trigger. It stops, and I take my chance. I quickly raise my arm, the sleeve falling off of the gun. I aim the sight at the street light above him and without thinking, pull the trigger. The bullet hit’s the light bulb, and shatters it. Small shards of glass electricity sparks shower Cobb. He drops his gun to the ground, and immediately begins to furiously swipe at himself. I stand calmly and still as I watch him scream and shout from the pain.

Cobb drops to the ground, still grabbing at his neck and shoulders. He’s trying to distract me now. I keep a close eye on him as he quickly glances at me. In one quick motion, he lunges at the pistol. I lift my arm and pull the trigger without thinking. The bullet hit’s the weak point in the wooden beam of the pier, splitting the wood in two. As he grabs at the firearm, the wood beneath it breaks and falls into the water below, carrying the gun with it. He stares in astonishment at the whole, struggling to realize what happened. I smile beneath my mask, and place the gun back on my belt.

“H-How d-did you d-do that?”

“I told you," I pause. I stare at him, his body cowering on the cold ground. "I’m the best.” I turn around to leave, the sparking from the light illuminating the area every few seconds. As I begin to walk away, I hear the man begin to moan and groan to himself in frustration. I ignore him. He’s nothing. As I make my way down the walkway past the stacked crates and trailers, I hear him call out to me.

“Deadshot!” He yells. “Please.” I stop for a moment, my feet firmly planting themselves on the concrete. I wait for a minute or two, listening for any sounds. I think over my decision to myself once again, wondering if I should change my mind. I let out a small laugh, and shake my head. I continue walking, and disappear behind one of the warehouses.

 

[Karem-Knight]

General Zod, used to be respected as one of the greatest generals Krypton has ever known, now he was simply going to be known as it’s greatest monster along with his three “minions” as the republic labelled them chained to the ground unable to move a single muscle with guards armoured to the teeth surrounded their every move, of which they had very little the slightest twitch would send electricity through their body in seconds.

The Kryptonian general court of justice, in their second city of Astro City, Kandor itself had been mysteriously destroyed and vanished, along with their computer system Brainiac. The planet had diffculty has it had relied on the machines for decades on end, it was only now that these people have had the luxury to think for themselves.

“Order. Order. The stand wishes to hear the plees of Dru-Zod, Ursa and Non, now.”

The two loyal companions agreed to let their General, and leader, Zod speak before them, rising up the guards realized him and allowed him to speak on the stage.

“Hello, Van-Mor, and the other members of this, “fair” trial…”

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Zod said, starring and eyeballing all the members it was there that the sight of the one man who dared challenge at him before, had a look of determination, no smugness about him, as if all he wanted was justice a look of pride and hope. Jor-El, Zod hated him with a passion.

“I know none of you can actually believe me when I say this, but, I refuse to be treated as a criminal. You have absolutely no right, and I assume that you still believe in this fair system that I have fought oh so, much for.


[FONT=&quot]You people crowned me your hero, but dare I say this you treat me like a villain, who cannot but have a word with you mighty souls, I DEMAND that you listen TO ME!” [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
“General! Zod! You claimed that our A.I. system Brainiac defeated it’s program with a small nuclear device that has completely different technology to our systems, and then said that the device activated itself!”

“YES! That is what happened, Brainiac framed for these appalling crimes, NOW ask yourself why would something like that, be completely made up!”

“General, in the years we have had, perfecting Brainiac, we have had no errors with it what’s so ever! The computer was perfectly made so that no one could hack into the system and corrupt it’s data.

But now you, someone on trial for mass genocide are telling me, that this system, that has recorded every single tiny bit of information, on Krypton is corrupt? And is now somewhere else in space? An area where we have absolutely no idea that there could be any more life? Forgive me, General, but I refuse to believe such idiotic statements!”

Zod was now desperate, in a few short seconds he could lose everything, he would be on put for death for these, putting a brave face to cover up his worry, he angrily turned to his minions.
“These two, they saw it happen, ask them a question!”

“It is true we did- ARGHHHHHHHHH!”

“Ursa!”

The feelings consume med the General for a brief second before he starred angrily at the council member, the only council member left the other two now in possibly vaporized, two new ones were left and Zod stared at the appointed ones.

“We apologies General, but these two requested you speak for them, and we cannot bend the rules, now are there anymore statements you would like to make?”

Zod was now desperate; he coldly looked upon Jor-El whose child was now nearing birth, nodding at him he coldly said his name.

“Jor-El, he knows what I mean!”

The entire council looked at the scientist, shocked by the attention he sighed, no matter how much of a monster Zod was he couldn’t tell a lie, it would haunt him to no end.

“I admit, I have myself found the data in the system to be possibly corrupt and at times, dangerous…but the amount of damage it caused would be quite difficult to aceive. Even for a machine such as Brainiac.”

The council was all but close to having Zod plead guilty, just before he broke his own silence.


“Still it isn’t entirely impossible.”

A glimmer of hope entered Zod’s mind, Jor-El was not pleased and starring down on his palms the council had a discussion, before Jor-El once again stood up.

“Jor-El, do you have anything important to add, again?”

Jor-El sighed, he didn’t know what would happen to Zod, but hopped he wouldn’t be killed, just for justice to be served giving a deep breath Jor-El said his words.

“I have found, extensive proof, that was left in the few fragments of recorded data that Brainiac had left, I managed to dig this all up and found out….this information,

Permission to show footage?”

“Permission granted.”

Jor-El programmed an holographic image on the screen in the council, Zod watched in horror as his freedom entered an even worse decline.

General Rann inspected his ship which was coming the opposite way from Zod, he then oversaw the other army ship coming a lot slower then his, confused he went towards his commanders.

“Get General Zod on the com link and ask him why he’s slowing down!”

All of a sudden the ship went on a black out.

“What’s going…on!”

“Back up power online………”

“Brainiac!” said the aging General, “What’s going o….”

“Back up power offline, requested, by, General Zod.”

“WHAT! NO NO!”

“General, someone has hacked into the ship and now it’s! NO, GENERAL, THE SHIP’S CRASHING INTO THE BASE!”

Startled the General tried desperately to figure out what was going on, but before he could.



Back in Zod’s ship the aging General gave a hidden smirk he then rose up.

“Men! Everyone gather round and prepare yourselves for plan B! I want troops scouting out the remains, Non, send out a small group of fighter jets on the area, I want all the survivors of General Rann’s ship and gather round the terrorists.”

Zod then accessed Brainiac.

“Brainiac, access the Krypton council, I need them urgently!”

“Accesing……………Kandor………Council……………Higher officers…………Accessed.”

“Hello? This General Zod of the Kryptonain amry!”

“Hello Zod, this is Gon-Kol, what is the latest on the attack?”

“Not good, one of them detected our presence and managed to high jack Brainiac in the ship and destroyed all the data on the ship, I’m afraid that General Rann might be dead, in a brave act he steered the ship into the base, I’ve sent as many troops as I could to round them up, I need back up urgently, just in case.”


Gon-Kol sighed.

“Ok, General, I’ll see what we can do, but, I warn you it could take hours before they arrive, so try and fend them off for as long as you can.”

“Thank you, Gon-Kol.”

Gon Kol disconnected, Zod knew that back up would take hours, and if something like this happened, Generals were obligated to contact the Council, this couldn’t work out better for Zod, because now, he knew that most of the terriost threat were killed and his job was easier.

He smiled, just like Zod’s hero Han-Gron would have done.

Zod sat down he only heard a few shots fired in the past two hours, he knew this was no battle, but genocide, and genocide was easier then battle.

All of a sudden a transmission came in.

“General Zod, a transmission has been requested by, Commander, Ursa, would you like to request it, yes, or, no?”

“Yes, please.”

Ursa’s head appeared before Zod.

“Yes Ursa, what is the update?”

“Well General, we lost a few men but we’ve gathered by most of the troops that survived the ship wreck, but we did not find any survivors on General Rann’s ship.”

“Ok, very well, did you find the one they call General Yan-Pol?”

“We have General, would you like to see him now or should we bring him to you?”

“No, I’ll see him now!”

The transmission ended, Zod then rushed to gather some armour and a helmet.

“You too, come with me, we’re going down to the battle field now!”

Zod and his two guards rushed down to the transportation chambers, they travelled via a hover- tank that was safely guarded by a holographic shield, the three men rushed down to the troops down by the battle fields, the tank landed and Zod went towards Ursa.

The two saluted.

“Where is he?”

“Over there, he refused to kneel like the rest, claming he would never kneel before a traitor like Dru-Zod!”

“Ok, I shall speak to him myself!”

Zod went towards Yon-Pol, the famous leader of the poor and oppressed Kryptonains, the council had tried to reason with them, letting them in Kandor, but a small band of them refused.

“Are you the one they call, Yon-Pol?”

He stared at Zod, handcuffed and angered.

“I take that as a yes, and by saying yes, you are guilty of mass genocide against the Kryptonian army, yes?”

He stared at Zod, he then opened his moth.

“I reuse to speak to a TRAITOR like you, you grew up like all these men here, you were deprived of the birthing matrix like the rich scum take pride in! DON’T YOU! You believed in Han-Gron like we all do!”



“I do! But, Han-Gron would never, ever want followers so, stupid as to ATTACK the council when it was THIS powerful, you fool! When he was alive, he attacked them when they were weak, and crumbling, trust me, Han-Gron would never, EVER use your tactics of so-called, fairness; I hate the council JUST as much as you do.

But I’m destroying it from the inside, letting them gain my trust, till eventually I reach to a higher officer, and then, I get rid of the rest, and then Han-Gron’s dream will come true! Fairness, to all of Krypton, but you are stopping me from completing that!”

Zod got his gun out and grabbed Yon-Pol by the through using a tactic to throw him to the ground.

“Kneel before Zod!”

Yon Pol got up on one knee trying desperately to get up but then BANG! He died straight on the ground.

Zod put his hand gun back into his pocket and went to Ursa.

“I want half these soldiers executed right here, the other half I want sent to the ship and awaited for questioning at the council!”

“Yes Sir!”

Zod went back to his tank, his two soliders guided him back as he went up, he then contacted Non.

“Non, I want you to destroy the remains of General Rann’s ship, if either of those two rookies disagree, you know what to do!”

“Yes sir!”

Zod then went back to his ship, Krypton was nearly his, soon they would all kneel before him!

Van-Mor’s disgust had reached even greater level, the entire council agreed on one punishment together, Van Mor raised up with a look on hate on his face starring down on Zod like a giant, taking a moment to catch his breath he finally said his words.

“We, the council members have deided, one by one. Fan-Gal?”

“GUILTY!”​

​

“WHAT!”

The second council member spoke;

“GUILTY!”​

Van-Mor, the final member of the council spoke up to the stage;

“GUILTY, General Zod, Ursa and Non! We condemn you to the Phantom Zone!”​

​

A look of horror came upon everyone in the court room, the phantom zone was unstable, and had been built but no one had dared in hibit it, you had to be teleported since it was 20 light years from Krypton’s system, in this area tecnolgy was granted so that you could not age no matter what.

“Guards, take them away!”

[FONT=&quot]​

[FONT=&quot]“WHAT! NO NO NO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS! I WILL COME BACK! YOU CAN’T KEEP US HERE……YOU WILL BE SORRY! ALL OF YOU! ESPICALLY YOU JOR-EL………I WILL GRIND YOUR BONES INTO DUST! I WILL STAB YOU WITH MY BLADE, I WILL MAKE SURE YOUR WIFE WILL GREIVE, AND YOUR SON, I WILL MAKE YOUR SON PAY…….HEAR ME ALL OF YOU……………….YOU WILL KNEEL BEFORE ZOD! ALL OF YOU! HEAR ME JOR-EL……………………………………………………………..YOUR SON WILL PAY!” [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Saved]

Rush Part III

I awake to the sound of my alarm clock. It's three O'clock in the morning. Sun is still hours away, and the night is still enjoying its reign of the sky. I try to go back to sleep, hoping to get some desperately needed rest. Five minutes later, I find myself continuing to toss and turn. Useless.

I lean over to my dresser and grab the pack of cigarettes. I pull one out of the thin plastic casing, and put it in my mouth. I chew on it for a few moments as I struggle to gain consciousness. My mind is still lost in the world of my dreams, but my body fails to comply. I guess it's better this way. The only thing worst than being awake is being asleep.

After a few minutes, I get up from the bed and walk across the room. I pick up the lighter on top of the nightstand and flick my finger across the wheel. A small flame ignites and I hold it under the tip of the cigarette. I smell the burning material, and release my thumb from the button. I place the lighter back on the nightstand, and walk down the hallway into the kitchen.

Inside the next room, I walk to the refriderator. I open the door, and the light inside the machine blinds me for a second. I squint my eyes and feel around the shelves for a drink. Ah, got one. I pull out a frosty bottle of beer, and slam the door shut. I hear the various objects inside the machine rattle from the impact of the door. Carefully placing the rim of the cap on the counter, I hit the bottle, breaking the cap off.

I walk over to the singles stool by the table, and sit down. I pull the cigarette out of my mouth and take a long drink from the bottle. The cold liquid runs down my throat and into my stomach. Relief. I feel my body become calm as the taste fills my mouth. Finally, I feel some kind of relaxation. Unfortunately, it won't last forever, and knowing that kills the moment for me.

I slam the bottle on the table hard, the glass shattering to pieces in my hand. A sneer comes across my face as I feel the blood begin to drip out of the wounds on my hand. I put the cigarette back in my mouth and take a deep breath, inhaling the smoke into my lungs. As I get up from the table, I take a deep breath and watch as the gray smoke emits from my nose.

I make my way toward the bathroom, the blood slowly pooling in my hand. I walk through the door, and turn on the light. I put my hand under the the faucet and turn on the water. The warm water runs over my hand slowly, washing away the blood. I turn off the faucet, and open the broken cabinet. I pull out a package of gauze, and begin to slowly and carefully wrap my hand. As I wind the thick white cloth around my hand, I hear a noise coming from my room. I cut the gauze, and finish wrapping the bandage.

As I walk back into my room, I see a light on my cell phone blinking. "Another job..." I say calmly. I walk over to the cell phone lying on the desk next to my cigarette package. I pick it up, and flip it open. A message pops up on the screen, "One new voice mail," it reads. I clock through a few files, and open the message.

"Deadshot. Come to Shuster Street in Suicide Slums, Metropolis. Today, eleven o'clock pm. Come alone." The message ends, and I flip the phone closed.

"Come alone?" I ask myself. "As if I have anyone to bring." I drop the phone back on the dresser, and sit down on the bed. I look at the clock, three twenty-five it reads. Leaves me with twenty hours left. I could train, practice a little before my meeting. But, I'm tired. Instead, I think I'll get some more sleep. Help me pass the time a little, keep my interest. Tonight, I have plans.

 

[Karem-Knight]

Tony Zucco scuffs at this demand.

"Your insurance policy? How bout this? You f**k up you're dead. You do good, and you live. Capice?"

“Yeah I got it, Boss and…”


All of a sudden, the phone hung up, Corrigan shrugged and walked towards his car, getting inside he started the engine and headed home.

Half hour later:

Parking the car outside his and his wife’s home, Jim opened the door of his car and stepped outside, he was tired and needed to rest, he was now working for two people, Gordon and Zucco, guess which one pays more.

Walking towards the door to his house, he silently opened the door, if his wife came down stairs he would say that he didn’t want to wake her up, the truth was he didn’t want to hear her voice.

Going over to the kitchen in the darkness, he sat down on the table he got out some more blow from his pocket and laid it all out on the table, preparing him to go to bed.

Rolling up a ten-dollar bill with the coke in a nice easy to snort line, a voice came back from behind him.

“Why didn’t you call, Jim?”

Turning around he was startled and saw his wife starring at him with a look of anger, “Jesus Christ…”

She looked on the table.

“Is that coke, Jim!?”

“Look, I’ve been having…”


“Jim, you told me you stopped!”

“Hey, it isn’t something you can just quit, like that!”


“Why didn’t you go to rehab them?”

“Because, Jennie, I’m a cop they would have my badge for this!”


“Oh come on! You and I both know that they don’t give a ****, half the people in the force have mugged more people then they’ve helped!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”


“You heard me Jimmy, you think I believe you were working late again? Your partner Billy was killed last month and you act like you give a ****! Dan hit his first home run five days ago, did you know that? No, you were to busy ****ing your ****es, or buying your blow!”

“What the **** are you saying Jennie?”


“I’m saying, Jim, you’re nothing but a junkie!”

Jim rushed out of the chair and grabbed his wife, and punched her in the face.

SMACK!

“Don’t you dare call me that again!”


“What you ****ing junkie!”

Screaming Jim threw his wife onto the floor and hit her in the face again, “Don’t call me that, again! You’re a **** house wife, I come home from working my ****ing ass off, you have no idea what kind of pressure I am right now, and it’s just beginning!”

“Mommy, Daddy?”

Dan Corrigan stood in the hall way, starring at his beaten mother and angry father, he stared at his son.

“Go back to bed Dan, your sister’s going to get worried!”


Tears started to form in young Dan’s eyes.

“Daddy, what are you doing to MOMMY!”

“DAN GO BACK TO BED!”


“Jim what the hell is wrong with you! Leave him alone.”

“Mommy what’s happening!”

Jim rushed towards his son, “You’re not ****ing listening to me Dan! Go back to bed!”

“NO! LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

Jennie grabbed and clawed her husband, pushing her nails into his skin, tiring to pull him back, he just punched her straight into the nose, and it soon bled as she screamed in pain and depression as she fell straight to the floor, crying.

“See what happens!? See what the **** happens, DAN! GO THE **** BACK TO YOUR ROOM, BEFORE YOU END UP LIKE YOU’RE ****E OF A MOM!”

Dan started crying and fell to the ground, wrapping his hands around his face, Jim slapped his son around the face.

“Do it! You ****ing *****! You’ll never be a man!”


Jim slapped his son in the face again.

”He’s ten times the man you are, JIM!”

His wife said crying, trying to get up he marched towards her,

“Oh yeah, go on, you’re a real tough guy, Jim! Go on, show me what you’ve got cause I don’t care any more; I’ve had enough, Jim! Enough of the drugs, the depression. You never wanted a family; you just ****ed me one time and did it just so your dad wouldn’t look down on you! Your father would have been ashamed to see you like this Jim.”


The words hit him, like a bullet to the stomach.

“You shut the **** up Jennie!”


“Oh go ahead, hit me again, you’ll prove nothing Jim!”

“Oh yeah?”

Jim kicked her in stomach before he headed towards the door of the house, she screamed in pain before she said her next set of words.

“I’M LEAVING YOU JIM! ME AND THE KIDS! WE’LL DO IT, GO TO METROPOLIS, WHERE WE CAN LIVE LIKE HUMAN BEINGS…JIM…YOU HEAR ME!”

Even as he shut the door and went to his car he could still hear her threats as he reversed and headed to a hotel somewhere.

 

[Saved]

Rush Part IV


Suicide Slums, Metropolis.

You know, normally, I'm the one hiding in wait in the shadows. Waiting for the employer to show up before I reveal myself. It's been a precautionary method incase I'm being set up for either a hit or a sting. Today, it's different. Why? I am not sure. I just don't seem to care anymore.

So, here I wait. Standing in plain site, my trenchcoat covering my suit. The smoke in the air is nauseating. It burns my nostrils and leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth. No wonder they call this place Suicide Slums.

I check the watch on my wrist underneath my costume. Eleven thirty. He's late. I should leave right now, but my curiosity coerces me to stay. The man sounded...interesting. Mind as well wait, see who or what he's like. After all, I don't have anything else going on.

The minutes continue to pass as my patience wears thin. I lean up against the building behind me, watching the ends of the street. I take a deep sigh, and look at my watch again. Eleven fourty-five. I'm not so curious to stay and wait for this guy all night. I push off the wall, and turn to walk back to my motorcycle parked a block away. As I turn, I come face to face with a man standing firmly in front of me, a smile on his face.

"Deadshot." He says in a deep tone.

"You the one who called me?" I ask impatiently. I don't feel like wasting anymore time.

"Yes. My name is Morgan Edge, and I've heard a lot about you."

"Morgan Edge, huh?" I pause, thinking in my head of why his name sounds so familiar. "Oh, that's right, you're something of a gangster here, aren't you?"

"You could say that. But I wouldn't. Just one man, fighting for my cause."

"Uh-huh." I say, my interest quickly fading. "You're lucky I am still here. Fourty-five late."

"Yes, I'm sorry." He says in a carasmatic tone. "I had buisness to attend to. I assure you, it was urgent."

"Fine. Well, I'm here and so are you. Talk fast."

"You are the direct type I see, Deadshot."

"What's the expression, time is money? I follow those guidelines." Not really. But I don't feel like waiting on anyone.

"Hmm. Ha. I'm starting to like you. Now, down to buisness. I need a hit on someone. Someone who has been a thorn in my side for very long. If I'm to proceed with my work, I can't have any distractions. That's why I called you. Rumor is you never miss, and I can't afford to have mistakes."

"Assasination. Okay. Who is it you want dead? Superman?"

"No. No. Not yet, anyway. I'm aiming for a less...powerful target."

"Too bad." I say apathetically. A Killing a seemingly unstoppable alien? That sounds like the thrill I've been looking for. But I don't kill for my own pleasure. It's a habit I'd like not to start. "So, who is it then?" A wide smile comes across Edge's mouth, his eyes giving off an evil glare.

"Captain Daniel Turpin. Here's a picture. Just incase you don't know what he looks like." Edge hands me a photograph of the man. He seems tough and dangerous. Good.

"Any details you want to tell me about him?"

"It shouldn't matter, should it? You kill him in one shot, both our problems will be over."

"True." I say in agreeance. "So, now there's the matter of my compensation."

"I'll wire the money to your account, but not until you give me proof you killed him."

"Fair enough. How much are we talking?"

"Two hundred thousand."

"Decent. Turpin's as good as dead."

"I'll await your message." Edge turns around, and begins walking down the street. I watch him, and suddenly, I notice two men across the street turn and nod to him. They begin to follow him until he disapears behind the corner of the building.

"He had back up..." I say softly, a smile coming across my face. "This could be the thrill I've been looking for. Assasinating a Police Captain. Well, there's a first time for everything."

 

[Batman]

"Well seeing as the jacket was made just for me, I'm afraid it was irreplaceable," she said, giving the millionaire a dirty look. Harleen didn't expect to run into a karate chopping Bruce Wayne today or at all for that matter. She only read about him in the paper and didn't know quite what to expect. From the coat comment, she obviously made him feel bad. "I haven't eaten today. You can take me out to lunch if you really want to make it up to me..."

I remain silent, following her suggestion.

To have to apologize for suceeding in saving someone's life is one thing. But to pay it off with a meal is... quite another dillema in and of itself, of which I can't even grasp. Then again, I can't rightly imagine putting such value into material posessions such as a coat... I've had everything I could ever want since I was a boy. It's what I've needed that's escaped my grap. Justice for Gotham's citizens... order to an unkempt society...

Parents...

Perhaps the jacket really did mean more to her than I could imagine. Or, quite honestly, she's simply that shallow of a person. But either way, regardless, I can't imagine a possible excuse to back out. She knows I have the money, I wouldn't feel justified in telling her I haven't the time given the daylight...

Damn it.

"Um... sure. I guess that seems fair, when you put it that way,", I respond, offering her a hand. "Where would you want to go? My valet knows of some of the best places in town, if you need a second opinion."