Gotham: A New Generation (IC)

[Main Nation Ministry]

Inside Lizzie's House

"It isn't often that I get visitors, since I don't have a guest room. Though, it is nice to have our men in blue protect our streets at night." Grandma said, as Mitchell looked around. "A bit of a neat interior. You live by yourself?" Mitchell said, where Grandma seemed to have been fiddling with her hearing aid at that point. "You said something on that last part, sunny? Help yourself down at the table, I get the kettle ready." Granny said, where she went to the kitchen, getting a bulky looking kettle from the counter, filling it with water. As she was humming, it was around that point Clover gotten on top of Palmer. "Hang on, I don't think I can hear them through this window." Clover said.

"Just tell me what you see, so you have an excuse to have your green high heels impaling my spine!" Palmer said to Clover. Inside of the house, Mitchell waited until Grandma returned to the table. "So what have you come here for, sunny? Seems important." Grandma said, where Mitchell wanted to have another cigarette, but clearly Grandma wouldn't take it lightly. "I'm investigating a certain...incident at one of the urban areas of the city. Certainly, we have narrowed down several suspects that did commit the crime, however we believe that there was another individual that could have been at the scene of the crime. Around the morning, we gotten word from a witness that they were around the scene of the crime before the exact time the crime occurred. They have seen two individuals entering the scene of the crime, where they gave the descriptions of the two of them. I have recently attended a school and I had the descriptions of each suspects checked."

"So, why did you come all the way here? Surely, this is a nice neighborhood after all." Grandma said. "Well, technically you're the guardian of Lizzie Kieran, correct?" Mitchell asked, which Grandma nodded. "You see, Lizzie's description matched one of the described individuals. We're not labeling her as a suspect, but rather as a person of interest. We just need to know she is here, or if not, you could describe her last whereabouts?" Mitchell asked Grandma, where she doesn't seem to be concerned. After Mitchell finished his sentence, the kettle started to steam, letting a loud hiss. "I get it!" a voice came from upstairs, where Lizzie went downstairs to get the tea.

When Lizzie was approaching the window, Clover immediately ducked and peeked to see Lizzie getting some teacups to pour the kettle in. "Guys! I see Lizzie! She's alive!" Clover said to the group, as she leaned towards the window to get a better look. Mitchell looked a bit shocked to see Lizzie alive, seeing how he originally imagined her ending up missing. "Ms. Lizzie Kieran? Is it possible that I can ask you a couple of questions?" Mitchell asked Lizzie, as she gave the two some tea. "Sure, I'm a bit sore from yesterday's school project, but I can ask away."

"Wait, Clover! You sure that is 100% Lizzie in the kitchen?" Derek asked Clover, as she was leaning in. "It's her. She doesn't have her glasses on, but she clearly looks like the Lizzie we know." "Something isn't right..Screw it, wait out here!" Derek suddenly ran from the backyard and headed back to the front door to ring the doorbell. "What is that dumbass doing?!" Palmer yelled, as he didn't want to make Clover lose his balance.

[St George Territory]

Calendar Man
October 20th
Gotham

---

A cluttered room, pages of various calendars strewn across the floor, some bloody and torn, others with various etchings and doodles, ideas that would or wouldn't come to fruition. Gotham had been set aflame, tonnes of villains and heroes, fighting for some sense of control, from Penguin to Bane, or the Red Robin, in time all would realize that they have an expiration date. 'Soon.' Calendar Man whispered to Himself. Glaring at the calendar held in his hands, October 20th, or to the Muhammadans, the 11th of Safar if that mattered, it was an inconsequential date, in the Roman Catholic Church, several martyrs come from the day, most notably Irene of Tomar and Magdalene of Nagasaki, in the Eastern Orthodoxy there were several martyrs as well, too many to name for the point to be concise... martyrdom much like what the Batman could have achieved, which ultimately left the city in shambles by his murder of the 'good' mayor. And now, Gotham is left with no heroes, only villains of varying morality; take your pick, in the end, they're all the same.

Justice in Gotham was in such a strange state, surely it was in need of a shakeup. The Penguin would be just what Calendar Man would need for such a change, and to help in the Calendar Man's plan, as his eyes looked down to the calendar near the window, October 31st being circled in a red marker, that would be when Gotham would learn that they would need a new hero.

[Haedros 92712]

The Historian

Philipp looked below as he flied over the many manors, mansions and other houses of bristol county, which often were inoccupied, abandoned for decades by their respective owners.Perhaps, he could use them one day for a future plan of his? It could be a good idea, but in that moment, he had to think about other dillemas.His negotiators abroad were able to sell the items from the museum heist, gaining a sizeable amount of money, and, although in smaller numbers, his mooks carried out smaller jobs in gotham under not that of his banner (As most thought the historian was dead), but that of anonymity.

As he continued to think, he could finally spot the Wayne manor.It was massive, many times bigger than that of his own's.He had taken knowledge of the raid at the mansion, and decided he'd pay a visit to the place and get what he could of it. After all, events like these didn't happen everyday, did they? It would be unwise to waste such a opportunity.

The helicopter began to fly over the mansion, searching for any opportunities or to simply acquire knowledge on what in hell was going on at the mansion in a closer scale.They began to move to the backwoods of the manor, filled with foliage and trees, which denied those who were in the helicopter the opportunity to spot anything below the large thicket.

Homewever, soon something was spotted- a tall masked man, holding what seemed like an unconscious body of god knows who, beside a strange-looking dog, and a caped heroine. While he was not able to identify who was the vigilante due to the distance, Philipp felt that he had seen her before. The order to hover over the position for a few moments was rapidly given, and the historian's goon began to ready, in the chance that violence occurred.

Batgirl

Cooper

White light flashed over the dog's eyes, followed by a searing pain and a ringing in his ears. “I- I-“ He stammered. He clamped his paws over his ears, then shook Batgirl off furiously. “Enough!” He shouted, the demon once again regaining control of the body. In another attempt at disheartening her, he spoke up to the girl in a sinister tone. “The blood on my fur. Who do you think really died in my fight with Tim Drake?” He asked her. He smiled once he was sure she’d figured it out.

“He was weak. Easy to kill, but fun to toy with. Thought he stood a chance against me. But ultimately, he...” Cooper dragged a claw against his throat to symbolize what had happened.

For moment, it looked like she had succeeded in getting through to him but then Evil Cooper was back in control. He tried to convince her that he had killed Tim but she wasn't buying it. Tim was alive, Babs knew it in her heart. But then...what about the blood? The WHUP-WHUP-WHUP of a hovering chopper distracted her from the disheartening thought that the leader of the Disciples was dead. "I guess that's your ride, huh?" she taunted Bane. "Looks a little cramped for ya, big guy. Sure you're gonna fit? You might need to lose some of that muscle. Guess ya could start with all that muscle between your two fat ears," she snickered.

Bane released an uproarious laugh. “You have the charm of a rattlesnake, I see. And your words hold as much venom as well. I suppose it does not matter. Laugh while you can, knowing that you are helping me to destroy your oh so revered mentor and leader.” At this, he turned away, and looked to the helicopter, waving his hand to signal the helicopter down. “Dog. I have one more task of you. A man I have defeated may not yet be dead, and he could be a significant threat if he were to reveal my true capacity to the Batman. I leave it to you to ensure this does not happen.”

[Personal Freedom]

The Penny Arcade

Joseph Coyne

Snip

Snippity

The Imposter Mad Hatter

Just a quick jump...

The fake Hatter stood on a windowsill overlooking the roof of a nearby building. It was probably only a ten-foot drop to the roof but a three-story drop should he miss and instead fall into the alleyway below. His mind raced at the thought of just slight misestimate and then tumbling down to the concrete below. He was muttering to himself, steadying himself when suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Fuck! Jesus Christ!" the Mad Hatter shouted rocking forward before turning around to see the face of one of his henchmen. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" the man, clearly irate, yelled.

"Boss, umm... the issue has been settled," the henchman struggled to explain.

"Settled, what does that mean."

"Um there was a phone call, and then the police called it off..."

Taking a look out the window again before getting down and turning towards the stairs, the Hatter spoke, "In that case, let's go back downstairs and to the car. I've had enough of this foolishness."

"

[Pax Nerdvana]

Jack Reynolds/The Electrician
Jack Reynolds, also known as The Electrician, was getting ready to go out on patrol tonight, to watch for criminals. He did this every night for an hour or two. He already had everything but his work boots on, so he began pulling them on, and tightening up the laces. He said to his family,"Bye, I'll be back in an hour or so." His family said their goodbyes, and Jack walked out of the door. Upon exiting his apartment, he walked over to the fire escape, and went out on it. He concentrated on exerting his electromagnetic powers on going against the Earth's magentic field. He began floating up, and he began flying.

He decided to head down to a sketchy arcade called the Penny Arcade. Apparently there had been some sort of big fight there, so he thought that maybe there were criminals hanging around there. He preferred to go slowly, as magnetic travel drained him quite quickly, so going slowly would use less energy. It took him about 20 minutes to get there. Upon arrival, he landed on the roof.

[United States of Brainy]

Inside Lizzie's House

"Wait, Clover! You sure that is 100% Lizzie in the kitchen?" Derek asked Clover, as she was leaning in. "It's her. She doesn't have her glasses on, but she clearly looks like the Lizzie we know." "Something isn't right..Screw it, wait out here!" Derek suddenly ran from the backyard and headed back to the front door to ring the doorbell. "What is that dumbass doing?!" Palmer yelled, as he didn't want to make Clover lose his balance.

“Screw THAT! I’m not waiting around!” Marta protested. She headed off after Derek, quickly followed by the rest of them.

“OW! OW! WATCH IT!” Palmer shouted as Clover clambered off of him, grinding her high heels into his back. She scampered after the other teens. The high school jock hurried to catch up to her.

Granny heard the doorbell ring. “My, we seem to have so many visitors today!” She gave a chuckle. “I haven’t had this many gentleman callers since my college school days back in Cincinnati. Oh, those were the days,” she remembered wistfully. “Ice cream socials and walks in the park.” All the while, the doorbell kept ringing and ringing and ringing.

“I’ll get it, Granny!” Lizzie offered.

“Oh, thank you, dear,” Grandmother Kieran told her. Lizzie set the kettle on the table and ran to get the door.

Derek kept on ringing the bell. Getting more and more impatient until finally the door opened. About bloody time! He was all set to say something nasty to the cop but it wasn't the cop that had opened the door. Derek’s eyes widened when he saw Lizzie standing right in front of him! Bugger me! She’s alive! This close, there was no doubt that it was her. She looked different without her glasses but it was definitely her. He just stood there, shocked and stunned. Until the rest of the gang rounded the corner and crashed into his back, sending him stumbling forward a couple of steps. “Hey! Watch it!” he shouted.

But none of the others were listening to him. They were all looking at Lizzie, wide-eyed and amazed. “It really is you…” Marta sighed. And then, overcome by emotion, she threw her arms around Lizzie and hugged the girl tight. And that’s when she got her second shock of the day. Her eyes opened even wider as she felt the girl’s strangeness against her body and she realized that Lizzie might not be alright after all…

“Damn, kids! I thought I told you to scram!” Mitchell barked, walking up with Granny right behind him. Marta quickly let go of Lizzie and stepped back. It took all of her self-control to maintain a straight face as the detective approached the group of kids.

[Whalestron]

Cooper

Cooper tore his eyes away from Batgirl to look at Bane. He nodded at the man. “Who is he? I will make sure he’s silenced forever.” The dog said with a respectful bow of his head. Any death could insure his control, but he couldn’t help but hope the target was one of the anchors. He’d ignore Batgirl until he had to deal with her.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Joseph Coyne

After the cops left, The Mad Hatter returned downstairs where Coyne was still there, near the phone. "So listen here, you hat-wearing moron. The Penguin wants you to come to this meeting tonight at Orwell Industries. So if you want to kill him so badly, which I ask you don't do until I say so, I remind you follow my advice. That bird-brain is going to let me have some product that I get to trade around the city. So I remind that you don't kill the Penguin, until after the meeting and what not. You understand?" Coyne told the Mad Hatter, who was trying to head back to his car.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Inside Lizzie's House

As Lizzie went to see who was answering the door, seeing how they were practically jabbing their finger repeatedly at the doorbell, almost like they were desperate. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Derek, who wanted to literally hug her as it looked like he wanted to see her badly. However, the rest of the gang appeared from the back to the front of the house to meet Lizzie, seeing how all of them were worried sick. Marta was the first to be overwhelmed with emotion, as she immediately hugged Lizzie. Marta felt that something was not right. Lizzie's body felt different, almost like her skin didn't seem like skin at all. Lizzie wasn't expecting Marta to hug her, where she was starting to become nervous, almost on the verge of losing concentration. Marta immediately stepped back to say something, but Mitchell appeared, yelling out orders.

Granny didn't really take kindly to Mitchell's yelling, where she grabbed her walker and poked the detective with one of the metal legs. "I told you not to yell at the youngsters!" Grandma yelled, where Mitchell gets distracted a bit before Lizzie saw Derek near the back of the group. "Derek, we need to talk right now! Guys, don't let him near me! I explain everything later!" Lizzie called out for Derek, where she beckoned him to go upstairs with him. Mitchell was about to confront Lizzie, but Palmer immediately stepped in the way to block him. "You can't tell us what to do! You don't even have a warrant or a search permit!" Palmer made an excuse, where Mitchell wanted to smack the jock, however Grandma poke him again with the walker.

Having Derek go upstairs with her, Lizzie led him into the bathroom where a revealing mess was at the bathtub with the bottom of it carried in an unknown gray substance. Marta, however, wanted more answers and tried to get to the bathroom. The problem was Derek locked the door from the inside, thinking Mitchell was going to run upstairs to kick the door open. "Lizzie, I'm so glad to see you! The coppers thought you could have been kidnapped! Everyone at school was sharing all this talk about-"
"I know! But listen, something horrible happened last night." Lizzie suddenly looked like she was scared about something which Derek didn't seem to understand. Marta was trying to open the door, where Clover caught up to her. "Palmer and Granny are having a bit of a yelling match downstairs. The hell is up with Lizzie. It was her, right?" Clover asked.

"Clover.. I think something's wrong with Lizzie. When I went to hug her, I could have sworn she felt like something wrong. Like she didn't have any blood within her. Not like a vampire, but she felt like a corpse or something!" Marta said, where Clover thought she was being hysterical.

[Julutth]

Talia Al Ghul

The Historian

Philipp looked below as he flied over the many manors, mansions and other houses of bristol county, which often were inoccupied, abandoned for decades by their respective owners.Perhaps, he could use them one day for a future plan of his? It could be a good idea, but in that moment, he had to think about other dillemas.His negotiators abroad were able to sell the items from the museum heist, gaining a sizeable amount of money, and, although in smaller numbers, his mooks carried out smaller jobs in gotham under not that of his banner (As most thought the historian was dead), but that of anonymity.

As he continued to think, he could finally spot the Wayne manor.It was massive, many times bigger than that of his own's. He had taken knowledge of the raid at the mansion, and decided he'd pay a visit to the place and get what he could of it. After all, events like these didn't happen everyday, did they? It would be unwise to waste such a opportunity.

The helicopter began to fly over the mansion, searching for any opportunities or to simply acquire knowledge on what in hell was going on at the mansion in a closer scale.They began to move to the backwoods of the manor, filled with foliage and trees, which denied those who were in the helicopter the opportunity to spot anything below the large thicket.

Homewever, soon something was spotted- a tall masked man, holding what seemed like an unconscious body of god knows who, beside a strange-looking dog, and a caped heroine. While he was not able to identify who was the vigilante due to the distance, Philipp felt that he had seen her before. The order to hover over the position for a few moments was rapidly given, and the historian's goon began to ready, in the chance that violence occurred.

Talia glanced down from the helicopter at the hunk who was signaling up at Mr. Philip Von Eur, a new acquaintance of hers and partner in crime. So this was Bane. She’d been hired for the job with Bane, along with The Historian. Getting close to this new terrorist was good for the League of Shadows. It would help them reach their first big accomplishment of extinguishing a major urban environment: Gotham City. “The more the merrier,” Ra’s had told Talia by phone.

But Talia was doing this for a different reason: it would attract Bruce back to the city. She was hoping he remembered her, in a good way. If Bruce came back, she could convince him to relinquish the stupid Batman and hobby, and she could let go of her assassin lifestyle. And then they could find a nice small cottage in the country, living together away from the countless issues in life.

Talia was going to do this one last job to make sure she’d never have to work for her father again.

Talia turned to the goon who was flying the chopper. “Well, what are you waiting for?” She then looked at the Historian with an exasperated expression.

“Why did you tell him to hover?” She yelled at Philip over the loud sound of the rotating blades, “Let us pick up the man! Fly it down!”

Talia rolled her eyes as the helicopter descended. Being a League girl meant that she wasn’t used to henchmen acting solely on the world of the Leader. She, as well as Ra’s, admired assassins who revered their generals but could act independently with minds of their own. Clearly Philip’s goons were just as they were referred as: goons.

Talia leaped down from the copter, even as it was many feet above the ground. She approached Bane, holding out her hand.

“My name is Talia, Talia al Ghul. You must be my new partner.” Talia wasn’t about to refer to anyone as a master, or a boss. Whoever she worked with was her equal.

Talia paused when she saw the boy in Bane’s clutches. It was Damian. The man was really a hero! He’d retrieved her son from those spandex creeps. Nevertheless, Talia remained icy. She snatched Damian from Bane. “That’s my son,” she muttered to him. That’s when she saw Batgirl standing behind Bane, acting obediently. Talia found the sight to be remarkably pleasing. She walked up to Batgirl and dealt her a massive slap to the face.

“Now you know your place,” Talia told the girl with a wry smile.

She placed a hand on her long sword named Habeebi, Arabic for “my love.” She was ready for trouble with the others.

[Skarten]

The Assailant

Jules look around as he made his way to the direction where the hoving helicopter was-he had seen it a few minutes before in his manor, which was, coincidentally, rather near the wayne mansion.He had been curious over the events that were happening in the large estate nearby him for since the so called raid had started, but this odd helicopter flying over it was the final push he needed.

As he approached a thicket, Jules got off his motor tricycle, taking off the keys and readying his Chinese Chúi hammers, just in the very likely case (You don't see many friendly people with heavy, private soviet helicopters, do you?) that he had to resort to violence. The vigilante looked to his vehicle for a last time, hoping it would be still there when he came back, and stepped into the small florest.

The armoured "warrior" continued to walk further into the woods, with him having to break branches where his lamellar armor got stuck every once in a while. This wasn't exactly the best place to use such kinds of clothing, but at least he woudn't be that much of a chance of getting shot, stabbed, mauled or broken like a twig by any of the crazy roster of villains that called gotham city their home.

Soon, as clearing could be seen, although not very well. Jules began to walk faster, with his war clubs ready to hit any mook that could try to assault him. How hard could it be after all? he'd get there, see what was going on, take down goons and escape. He had done this other times before, so why would it change now?

Then he tripped over a rock.

Jules fell, going over the bushes and into the clearing in a extremely anti-climatic way.As Jules looked up, he saw, before him, a tall man with a mask, whom he recognized to be the one that called himself bane, who essentially declared war on vigilantes like the assailant.

"Well,crap"

[United States of Brainy]

Batgirl

“My name is Talia, Talia al Ghul. You must be my new partner.” Talia wasn’t about to refer to anyone as a master, or a boss. Whoever she worked with was her equal.

Talia paused when she saw the boy in Bane’s clutches. It was Damian. The man was really a hero! He’d retrieved her son from those spandex creeps. Nevertheless, Talia remained icy. She snatched Damian from Bane. “That’s my son,” she muttered to him. That’s when she saw Batgirl standing behind Bane, acting obediently. Talia found the sight to be remarkably pleasing. She walked up to Batgirl and dealt her a massive slap to the face.

“Now you know your place,” Talia told the girl with a wry smile.

She placed a hand on her long sword named Habeebi, Arabic for “my love.” She was ready for trouble with the others.

Her cheek stung from the slap, the side of her face already reddening. Babs fists clenched, no one got to hit her like that, especially not this witch! But then she remembered herself, remembered that Damian’s life was still at risk. Forcing herself to calm down, she returned Talia’s smile with a sneering smile of her own.

“Lovely to see you again too. And you’re sober, what a shocker. What’s the matter, Talia, dear, couldn’t find a bar this early in the morning?”

With the arrival of Ra’s daughter, the dynamic had changed. No matter how much of a backstabbing bitch Talia could be, the one certainty was that she could never hurt her child, that she would protect Damian at all costs. And woe to the misbegotten scumbag that tried to lay a hand on him. Now that she had taken the comatose boy away from Bane, the masked monster had less of a hold over the crimefighter. Still, Babs had to tread carefully, Bane could still make good on his threat, Talia or no Talia. Babs had no doubt on that score. Still…that didn’t mean she couldn’t cause a little mischief. Time for some more of that rattlesnake venom, you creep.

“Your judgment must be more whacked than I thought,” she accused Talia. “Working with this dirtbag.” She jabbed her thumb at Bane. “Do you know why I’m obeying him? Because he threatened to snap your son in half if I didn’t. As far as your other buddy there,” she pointed her finger at the Historian, “that’s the goon that threw your little boy out of a helicopter and put him in a coma to begin with. I tell ya, Talia, you sure know how to pick’em.”

She tapped her finger against her chin. “Although…it makes a lot of sense now.” She turned to Bane. “No way a muscle-head like you could be smart enough do all of this on your own. This has League of Shadows written all over it. You’re just Ra’s lackey. Another Ubu…just uglier.”

“And you,” she turned to the demon dog. “Cleaning up your master’s messes? I thought owners were supposed to clean up after their dogs, not vice versa." Knowing that she was talking to the evil spirit controlling Cooper and not the kind-hearted canine, she continued her insults. “So, now he wants you to kill someone because, I guess, he was too much of an idiot to get the job done. Next thing ya know, he’ll want you to wash his dirty underwear. Pick up his muscle milk from the health food store. You act all smart but all you do is fetch. And maybe sniff Bane’s butt. Or does he sniff yours? No, no, I think you’re the one that does the butt-sniffing in this relationship.”

“At least the dog is getting something out of this,” she told Historian. “What are you getting for being Bane’s Uber driver? Then again, the way you flubbed that museum heist, maybe being a glorified chauffeur is more your speed, huh? Oh hey! After you get done here, do you think you could drive me to the supermarket?” she asked with mocking sweetness.

With Bane and now Talia and Historian, not to mention Historian’s henchmen, Babs knew she didn’t stand a chance in a fight. Besides, she could cause a whole lot more trouble (or so she hoped) with her words rather than her fists. As long as she could keep talking, she could continue sowing discord among this villainous alliance. And she still had her utility belt. How Bane had allowed such a glaring oversight was beyond her but she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. At the very least, she could plant a tracker or activate her homing beacon when they weren’t watching her.

Babs got ready to say more but just at that moment, a most unexpected visitor dropped in! He came tumbling out of the brush, landing at Bane’s feet in a heap! Covered in lamellar armor, he looked very much like a samurai. Although the bookworm in Babs noted that originally, lamellar armor had come to Japan from Korea. The intruder also carried a pair of Chúi (Chinese for ‘hammers’- Librarian Babs). The captive heroine had no idea whether he was a knight come to save her or in league with her captors. His choice of dress certainly suggested that he was partnered with the Historian but Babs knew better than anyone about not judging books by their covers. She waited to see what the mysterious stranger would do next. And more importantly, how Bane would react.

[Haedros 92712]

Batgirl

“My name is Talia, Talia al Ghul. You must be my new partner.” Talia wasn’t about to refer to anyone as a master, or a boss. Whoever she worked with was her equal.

Talia paused when she saw the boy in Bane’s clutches. It was Damian. The man was really a hero! He’d retrieved her son from those spandex creeps. Nevertheless, Talia remained icy. She snatched Damian from Bane. “That’s my son,” she muttered to him. That’s when she saw Batgirl standing behind Bane, acting obediently. Talia found the sight to be remarkably pleasing. She walked up to Batgirl and dealt her a massive slap to the face.

“Now you know your place,” Talia told the girl with a wry smile.

She placed a hand on her long sword named Habeebi, Arabic for “my love.” She was ready for trouble with the others.

Her cheek stung from the slap, the side of her face already reddening. Babs fists clenched, no one got to hit her like that, especially not this witch! But then she remembered herself, remembered that Damian’s life was still at risk. Forcing herself to calm down, she returned Talia’s smile with a sneering smile of her own.

“Lovely to see you again too. And you’re sober, what a shocker. What’s the matter, Talia, dear, couldn’t find a bar this early in the morning?”

With the arrival of Ra’s daughter, the dynamic had changed. No matter how much of a backstabbing bitch Talia could be, the one certainty was that she could never hurt her child, that she would protect Damian at all costs. And woe to the misbegotten scumbag that tried to lay a hand on him. Now that she had taken the comatose boy away from Bane, the masked monster had less of a hold over the crimefighter. Still, Babs had to tread carefully, Bane could still make good on his threat, Talia or no Talia. Babs had no doubt on that score. Still…that didn’t mean she couldn’t cause a little mischief. Time for some more of that rattlesnake venom, you creep.

“Your judgment must be more whacked than I thought,” she accused Talia. “Working with this dirtbag.” She jabbed her thumb at Bane. “Do you know why I’m obeying him? Because he threatened to snap your son in half if I didn’t. As far as your other buddy there,” she pointed her finger at the Historian, “that’s the goon that threw your little boy out of a helicopter and put him in a coma to begin with. I tell ya, Talia, you sure know how to pick’em.”

She tapped her finger against her chin. “Although…it makes a lot of sense now.” She turned to Bane. “No way a muscle-head like you could be smart enough do all of this on your own. This has League of Shadows written all over it. You’re just Ra’s lackey. Another Ubu…just uglier.”

“And you,” she turned to the demon dog. “Cleaning up your master’s messes? I thought owners were supposed to clean up after their dogs, not vice versa." Knowing that she was talking to the evil spirit controlling Cooper and not the kind-hearted canine, she continued her insults. “So, now he wants you to kill someone because, I guess, he was too much of an idiot to get the job done. Next thing ya know, he’ll want you to wash his dirty underwear. Pick up his muscle milk from the health food store. You act all smart but all you do is fetch. And maybe sniff Bane’s butt. Or does he sniff yours? No, no, I think you’re the one that does the butt-sniffing in this relationship.”

“At least the dog is getting something out of this,” she told Historian. “What are you getting for being Bane’s Uber driver? Then again, the way you flubbed that museum heist, maybe being a glorified chauffeur is more your speed, huh? Oh hey! After you get done here, do you think you could drive me to the supermarket?” she asked with mocking sweetness.

With Bane and now Talia and Historian, not to mention Historian’s henchmen, Babs knew she didn’t stand a chance in a fight. Besides, she could cause a whole lot more trouble (or so she hoped) with her words rather than her fists. As long as she could keep talking, she could continue sowing discord among this villainous alliance. And she still had her utility belt. How Bane had allowed such a glaring oversight was beyond her but she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. At the very least, she could plant a tracker or activate her homing beacon when they weren’t watching her.

Babs got ready to say more but just at that moment, a most unexpected visitor dropped in! He came tumbling out of the brush, landing at Bane’s feet in a heap! Covered in lamellar armor, he looked very much like a samurai. Although the bookworm in Babs noted that originally, lamellar armor had come to Japan from Korea. The intruder also carried a pair of Chúi (Chinese for ‘hammers’- Librarian Babs). The captive heroine had no idea whether he was a knight come to save her or in league with her captors. His choice of dress certainly suggested that he was partnered with the Historian but Babs knew better than anyone about not judging books by their covers. She waited to see what the mysterious stranger would do next. And more importantly, how Bane would react.

This was the point where Bane snapped. He lunged forward and grabbed Barbara by the the neck and slammed her against a tree at enough force to knock what wind she had left in her out of her. “Silence, you insolent bitch! Learn your place in my presence!” His grip tightened. And then lessened. He couldn’t be killing her. Not yet. He tossed her aside. He then took notice of the man who had tripped into the scene. “This is getting tiresome. Dog, would you handle him for me?” He looked back to the collapsed Batgirl. He looked to her belt, and realized just how many tools she had on it that could get her away from him again. He strode over, and plucked the belt off of her body. And then to Talia he turned. “Do not mistake my words, Al Ghul. I did threaten to kill your son. I would have done it, if need be. However, I do not see the need for this to affect our work here. The boy is safely in his mother’s hands again. I do not need him as I did before, as bait for the Batman. I have what I need, laying in a pile over by that tree, stripped of her equipment, her oh so important equipment. As for the historian, I cannot speak for him, I cannot defend his actions. He used your son to escape, and then harmed him in a possibly irreparable way. And one more thing we should set straight. We are not equals. You work for me, and you follow my every command, no matter how proud you are. And if you don’t, I will take everything from you, and leave you broken, physically and mentally. Am I understood?”

[Whalestron]

Cooper

The sudden appearance of the new vigilante made Cooper angry. At least, angrier than he’d been a few moments before. Batgirl tried to get a rise out of everyone present, and thankfully for her, Bane had acted before Cooper, saving her from what could quite possibly have been death. His temper could easily get him into a sticky situation. Who was she to state things like that about his master- boss. Bane was his boss, not his master. It was a partnership. That was all.

When Bane gave him the order to take care of the Assailant, the dog grinned.

“With pleasure...” he said. With that, he began to stalk closer to the man before he lunged forward to bite him.

Deputy

Layla tapped into Orwell's phone easily. She began listening to his current call, lucky her she’d gotten in when she did. She could have easily missed the important details.

“-and keep Maurice and his guys outside, Cobblepot's got his own thugs and I’ve got a few of my own. If you see that Deputy bitch, you fill her with lead. Got it? I don’t want any surprises, this deal could set me up with enough for two lifetimes!”

The girl slid the device back with the others on her belt. She’d traced the call back to an abandoned GCPD precinct in Old Gotham. Just the spot to perform such a large scale drug operation.

---

Layla showed up to the station quickly to find dozens of trucks and vans posing as various businesses waiting nearby. There were several armed guards and thugs with weapons outside of the entrance. Layla grappled her way to the building, launching herself right into the group of guards.

“It’s her!” One of them shouted, raising their weapon. “Get her!” Layla threw a smoke pellet right into their face. Then, as he stumbled backwards, grabbed his weapon and used it as a club against his head. She proceeded to fight with the others, narrowly avoiding a direct shot by dropping to the ground. Soon, though, the thugs had been taken down. Layla was about to enter the building when she heard frantic speaking behind her.

“Get those damn kids over here, fast! She's-“ he didn’t finish, as Layla smashed his face into the ground. She didn’t have any doubt in her mind that the Delacroix were going to be making their way to the precinct in a hurry.

Layla entered through the front door, but turned and took a vent straight along the ceiling as she followed her mask's direction to where she assumed the meeting would be taking place, where the phone's signal had been used. She’d occasionally stop to peek through the slitted vents, but continued on. Eventually she found herself above the offices. Layla listened to hear Arthur say something to Cobblepot, scared apparently.

She dropped down through the vent, taking in the faces of the three in front of her. Cobblepot, Orwell, and- it was her James. The bastard was white as a ghost, and he looked as if he’d seen one. “Hope I’m not interrupting something important.” She said casually.

[United States of Brainy]

Batgirl

SLAM!!! The back of her skull smacked against the tree. She immediately saw stars, even as Bane started choking her again. Gasping, her vision faded to black, his hot, stinking breath all over her face as he shouted at her. Then, mercifully, his death hold on her lessened and he flung her on the ground. She sucked in air, each inhale like a shard of glass rubbing against her sore throat. She lay there, sprawled like a ragdoll thrown by an angry child. In no condition to stop her tormenter as he ripped her utility belt off of her.

“Uhhhhh…” Her entire body hurt. She could hardly move. And now he had stripped her of the tools she could have used to fight him. But, except for the loss of her belt, her plan had worked perfectly. Already, the masked monster had turned on his partners. More concerned about getting them to submit to his will than making his getaway. Stupid... And Bane honestly thought he was a match for Bruce. He might be physically able but this egomaniac had nowhere near the self-control to go up against Batman. At least, Babs could take small comfort in that. She thought about yanking his chain some more but decided not to push her luck. And besides, she had already succeeded in setting him off. But lying there, every muscle aching, she hadn’t realized how much success could hurt…

With great effort, she turned her head to her would-be knight in shining armor. “Go…save yourself,” she croaked. She knew how powerful Cooper was and with the demon controlling him, knew that the canine would show no mercy. This guy didn’t stand a chance. She tried crawling to him, to protect him somehow but her body refused to move. All she could do was lie there helplessly and watch as the snarling dog went for the man, his huge jaws wide open.

[United States of Brainy]

Inside Lizzie’s House

“Stop it, you’re scaring me!” Clover pleaded. Clutching the crystal around her neck, she closed her eyes and whispered a mantra to calm herself. All this talk about blood and vampires and corpses had her seriously freaked out. Especially when it concerned Lizzie. Not to mention so soon after the grisly murder of Antoine by the Strangler.

Marta shook her. Gripped her by the shoulders and physically shook her. She didn’t need the girl spacing out on her. “Hey! Hey!” she whispered angrily. Keeping her voice down so she didn't draw the attention of the cop downstairs. “Listen to what I’m saying. Something’s wrong with Lizzie. Okay. You got to keep it together. I’m not saying she’s a zombie, I’m not sure what I’m saying.” Marta REALLY needed a cigarette right now but no way was she gonna light up, not with Granny in the house. “Look. Just back me up here. Keep your eyes open and tell me if anyone’s coming.”

“Why? What are you going to do?” Clover asked worriedly. But Marta had already pulled out a hairpin and started picking the bathroom door lock.


Inside the Bathroom

Derek’s jaw dropped when she saw the grey gunk lining the bathtub. “What in bloody hell…” Lizzie began telling him about last night when the door burst open and Marta stormed in. “Blood hell!” Derek shouted.

“Don’t you even THINK about keeping this a secret from me!” Marta snapped, shoving her finger in Derek’s chest. That’s when she noticed the grey ooze filling the tub. “Oh my god,” she gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. She stared at Lizzie, genuine fright in her eyes.

Derek pushed past her, dragging Clover inside and shutting the door. Clover’s eyes widened when she too saw the sludge. “Like…this isn’t a ‘female’ thing, is it?” Derek asked them. “Like you know, a yeast infection?”

“Does this look like a yeast infection to you?!” Marta stammered. “Oh my god, Lizzie! We have got to get you to a doctor!”

“Blimey, what’s a doctor gonna do?!” Derek wanted to know. “Stick a bleeding thermometer in her mouth?! We need one of those STAR Labs scientists!” He began snapping his fingers, trying to remember. “Hey…hey… a bloke like that came to Ms. Tyson’s chem class last year. What was his name…Palmer! Dr. Ray Palmer! Has a lab at the university! That’s what we should do! He can figure all of this out!”

“Why don’t we ask Lizzie what she wants to do?” Clover suggested, taking both of Lizzie’s hands into hers and tenderly gazing into her eyes.

[Haedros 92712]

Crimson Thorn
The Sanctuary

A massacre. His men lay dead, piles of corpses. They had been shown no mercy. Blood soaked the floor of the central chamber, a reflective scarlet pool. In the center of the room stood his prey, now predator, the mans cold eyes locked into Elias’s. A flash of recollection at the sight of the mans face. “Alex.” The man grinned now. “I’m glad to see my face rings a bell.” At this point, Alex’s image shimmered and flickered. “Do you see what you have done to me, friend? Do you now see the pain you’ve caused? All this death. Because of you. Do you feel remorse? I doubt it. You have spent so long lording yourself over these men that you truly believe you are a god. These men, these poor men were innocent, only she, looking for someone to guide them. They were just unfortunate enough that the one to guide them would be you.” Alex drew a sword from his belt. “Now, I shall make the false god bleed.” Elias stared at Alex, the banished reaper. “You should be dead. It should have killed you. You are truly a beast, an unholy devil. I shall take upon myself to rid the world of you.” A knife emerged from the throne sleeve, and a gun from the other. Alex’s grin spread further across his face. He then charged. Elias pointed his gun and fired a shot, and then another. Both went through his opponent, leaving not a mark behind. “You fool! I cannot be killed by the likes of you! By doing what you did, you have created your own demise!” A cackle escaped the forsaken reapers lips as he slashed with his blade, cutting Elias from rib to shoulder. Elias stumbled back, and Alex took his chance once again, stabbing his blade into the mans leg, bringing him down onto one knee. “How does it feel? To be think oneself a god and yet to bleed so much?” Elias grinned. And then Alex felt something pierce his skin. A large, glass like shard emerged from his stomach. “Either you weren’t fast enough to pass through that... or you physically cannot avoid my fractal.” Elias then lunged upward and stabbed another fractal knife into Alex’s heart.

Phantom

Cold pain shot through his chest. The fractal had pierced him. He couldn’t phase through. His phase was not longer working. His opponent could not stand any longer, but Alex was in just as bad a position. Blood spilled down his chest in unsettling quantities. “How... how did you...?” Elias grinned up at his stunned assailant. “How did I what? How did I know that could pierce you with the fractal? I guessed. I knew you would be overconfident and wouldn’t try to sidestep the attack. I knew you would play the part of a fool and stand there, so believing that your unnatural power could save you. And I was right. I...win.” Alex stumbled back, his knees weak. Elias pulled the sword from his knee. And then, he stood, against all odds. “And now... the bleeding god rods the world of the devil.” He produced a long, sharp fractal and brandished it at his opponents heart. “Now, d-!” A fractal flew and penetrated his throat. Straight through the middle. And then another to the heart. “Now you truly are a crimson thorn...friend. Now let the flames of your own temple burn you ash and dust.” And with this, Alex, the phantom reaper, left behind his old friend, dead in a pool of his own blood. And the blood of his followers. And the flames, of his sin. As he exited the sanctum, he stumbled into the dark alleys of Gotham, and he began to walk. As he walked, every single step, he could feel an emotion leaving him. As he left behind the source of his rage, his thirst for revenge, the feeling left his body. And left him... empty. This emptiness grew as he walked further and further away from the rival whom had given him so much purpose. As he reached the woods of Gotham, a great grass hill, he looked again upon the city. He saw the sanctuary, burning in a final sacred rite.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Inside Lizzie’s House

“Stop it, you’re scaring me!” Clover pleaded. Clutching the crystal around her neck, she closed her eyes and whispered a mantra to calm herself. All this talk about blood and vampires and corpses had her seriously freaked out. Especially when it concerned Lizzie. Not to mention so soon after the grisly murder of Antoine by the Strangler.

Marta shook her. Gripped her by the shoulders and physically shook her. She didn’t need the girl spacing out on her. “Hey! Hey!” she whispered angrily. Keeping her voice down so she didn't draw the attention of the cop downstairs. “Listen to what I’m saying. Something’s wrong with Lizzie. Okay. You got to keep it together. I’m not saying she’s a zombie, I’m not sure what I’m saying.” Marta REALLY needed a cigarette right now but no way was she gonna light up, not with Granny in the house. “Look. Just back me up here. Keep your eyes open and tell me if anyone’s coming.”

“Why? What are you going to do?” Clover asked worriedly. But Marta had already pulled out a hairpin and started picking the bathroom door lock.


Inside the Bathroom

Derek’s jaw dropped when she saw the grey gunk lining the bathtub. “What in bloody hell…” Lizzie began telling him about last night when the door burst open and Marta stormed in. “Blood hell!” Derek shouted.

“Don’t you even THINK about keeping this a secret from me!” Marta snapped, shoving her finger in Derek’s chest. That’s when she noticed the grey ooze filling the tub. “Oh my god,” she gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. She stared at Lizzie, genuine fright in her eyes.

Derek pushed past her, dragging Clover inside and shutting the door. Clover’s eyes widened when she too saw the sludge. “Like…this isn’t a ‘female’ thing, is it?” Derek asked them. “Like you know, a yeast infection?”

“Does this look like a yeast infection to you?!” Marta stammered. “Oh my god, Lizzie! We have got to get you to a doctor!”

“Blimey, what’s a doctor gonna do?!” Derek wanted to know. “Stick a bleeding thermometer in her mouth?! We need one of those STAR Labs scientists!” He began snapping his fingers, trying to remember. “Hey…hey… a bloke like that came to Ms. Tyson’s chem class last year. What was his name…Palmer! Dr. Ray Palmer! Has a lab at the university! That’s what we should do! He can figure all of this out!”

“Why don’t we ask Lizzie what she wants to do?” Clover suggested, taking both of Lizzie’s hands into hers and tenderly gazing into her eyes.

Inside the Bathroom

The moment Derek saw the sludge inside of the bathtub, he couldn't help but say to himself, "What in bloody hell..." "Look, I know this is going to sound crazy, but something bad happened last night. Both me and Antonie went to the factory to see if the rumors were true. We didn't find anything at first, so we started to have pictures taken. After we went upstairs over some of these vats, I saw Antonie getting strangled to death and that guy. He.. He.." Lizzie wanted to say more, but Lizzie herself looked like she was scared to say more. "Come on, what happened! Why didn't you tell the coppers?" Derek asked where Marta stormed in, having lock picked the door. "Bloody hell!" Derek shouted, where Lizzie wished she should have just put a chair over the door.

Marta was still wanting to know what happened to Lizzie, where the sludge in the tub was making her raise further questions. Nevertheless, Derek needed to bring Clover along, since she was near the opened door, before shutting it so no one else can get in. After a brief argument on if Lizzie is suffering from a yeast infection, Marta suggested that Lizzie be taken to a doctor. "I can't go to the doctor! He would just turn me in!" Lizzie realized that she could barely contain it. One more jolt of stress in her and she lose her form. Derek came up with an idea to have Palmer's dad who happened to have his own lab at Gotham University see her.

However, it was when Clover touched Lizzie's hands in an effort to calm her was where part of her had to come up with a solution to deal with this. "Guys. I know you're not going to be able to keep secrets for long, but you promise what's going to happen, you're willing to come up with a dumb excuse for it, even though people will still not believe you?" Lizzie said, calmly to the three, where Clover thinks she is about to say something which she can easily give her advice. "Clover. I know this is going to sound extreme, but I going to need a drop of your blood to get away." Lizzie continued, where Derek began to not take Lizzie seriously. "Oh great, the truth is that you're a vampire?"

"Calm down, Derek. Look, Lizzie. I guess so, but why do you need-"
"Thanks, Clover. This is going to hurt a bit." Lizzie proceeded to morph out of her form and into the creature known as Greyface, where Clover's hands were being absorbed into Greyface's arms. Oh course, Greyface's plan was jumping out the window the moment they were in their true form. "What the fuck!?" Derek blurted out, where Marta who should have took a cigarette and smoked outside was speechless, as her eyes and mouth were wide with shock. Greyface immediately had a small solid spike, similar to a needle, poke Clover's right hand while she was horrified enough to scream. "I try to head to the university, but I need to jet for now." Greyface tried to reassure Clover, as Derek was actually panicking. After Greyface got a piece of blood, all they needed to do was jump out the window.

The problem was jumping out an open window, as Greyface forgotten that the window closest to them was closed. Jumping out, a shower of glass coated their body, where Greyface didn't feel any pain. All they needed to do was take off running. Greyface started to concentrate some more, where they managed to shift into the form of Clover, as they ran.

Back in the house, Marta has literally fainted from what she had just saw. A series of loud footsteps were heading to the bathroom, as Clover and Derek knew that they had to make sure not to disappoint Lizzie. Or whatever she was now.

[Personal Freedom]

Joseph Coyne

After the cops left, The Mad Hatter returned downstairs where Coyne was still there, near the phone. "So listen here, you hat-wearing moron. The Penguin wants you to come to this meeting tonight at Orwell Industries. So if you want to kill him so badly, which I ask you don't do until I say so, I remind you follow my advice. That bird-brain is going to let me have some product that I get to trade around the city. So I remind that you don't kill the Penguin, until after the meeting and what not. You understand?" Coyne told the Mad Hatter, who was trying to head back to his car.

The Imposter Mad Hatter

"Mind your tongue, lest I take care of it for you. I'm going to assume you're only inattentive and not completely deaf, for I already explained that my intention was not to cause enmity between myself and the Penguin, but I will not explain myself a second time. Mainly because I tire of this prattle," the Hatter began before taking a moment to access the situation.

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder we I even bother. Anyways, Orwell Industries is it? Interesting... and a request for me in specific? Maybe there was some reason I came here today after all. I'll be at this meeting for sure, but I assume you would not object to my leaving for now. I think you've had enough company for a day, and I've found the reception here to be rather insufferable."

[Skarten]

The Assailant

Jules watched as the masked man knocked out the vigilante girl and ordered the odd looking dog that could somehow talk to "deal with him".And usually, that is not a very good sign on the majority of times, at least ones which in situations he knew about, which weren't really many (It appears talking dogs who want to kill you being ordered around by a man who can break trees with his fists is not a very common situation).

The masked warrior began to slowly get up, reaching for his gadgets while holding his chui hammers as the "evil talking dog" approached, preparing to attack him. Jules had a plan, a plan that had never failed in his entire career fighting against crime, a technique that was invented by mankind thousands of years before him, and would most likely be the solution to any issue that was even slightly similar to the one he had. And so, as Jules prepared, the dog lunged forward, preparing to attack him.

THUNK

And the dog was sent away to the side, being hit by one of the assailant's chuí war hammer. The millenary tactic of hitting people with blunt metal objects in the head had worked again, to the luck of our vigilante friend with the lamellar armour.

This provided an opening and a opportunity to strike for the assailant, who quickly reacted, taking not one but two of his smoke bombs and throwing them at the ground and at bane, causing the whole area to be covered in smoke and likely temporarily blinding the masked titan (Have you ever had a smoke bomb thrown at your face? It is probably not very pleasant).

Jules began to quickly run towards the direction of the vigilante girl, passing right beside bane, quickly picking up the masked heroine and putting her on his shoulder, before rapidly running towards the thicket in a attempt to get to his vehicle and flee away from the quartet of weird looking villains. Unluckily, for batgirl, this meant hitting her head several times in branches as the assailant continued to carry her through the small florest. Not only that, after a few seconds of running through the thicket, batgirl was accidentally dropped by jules as he made his way through the woods, who, in the rush of trying to escape from the villains didn't notice such event happening.

Needless to say, it wasn't the assailant best day.

[Haedros 92712]

The Assailant

Jules watched as the masked man knocked out the vigilante girl and ordered the odd looking dog that could somehow talk to "deal with him".And usually, that is not a very good sign on the majority of times, at least ones which in situations he knew about, which weren't really many (It appears talking dogs who want to kill you being ordered around by a man who can break trees with his fists is not a very common situation).

The masked warrior began to slowly get up, reaching for his gadgets while holding his chui hammers as the "evil talking dog" approached, preparing to attack him. Jules had a plan, a plan that had never failed in his entire career fighting against crime, a technique that was invented by mankind thousands of years before him, and would most likely be the solution to any issue that was even slightly similar to the one he had. And so, as Jules prepared, the dog lunged forward, preparing to attack him.

THUNK

And the dog was sent away to the side, being hit by one of the assailant's chuí war hammer. The millenary tactic of hitting people with blunt metal objects in the head had worked again, to the luck of our vigilante friend with the lamellar armour.

This provided an opening and a opportunity to strike for the assailant, who quickly reacted, taking not one but two of his smoke bombs and throwing them at the ground and at bane, causing the whole area to be covered in smoke and likely temporarily blinding the masked titan (Have you ever had a smoke bomb thrown at your face? It is probably not very pleasant).

Jules began to quickly run towards the direction of the vigilante girl, passing right beside bane, quickly picking up the masked heroine and putting her on his shoulder, before rapidly running towards the thicket in a attempt to get to his vehicle and flee away from the quartet of weird looking villains. Unluckily, for batgirl, this meant hitting her head several times in branches as the assailant continued to carry her through the small florest.

Bane rolled his eyes. He gave chase to the armored fool, hoping to catch him before he got too far away from the helicopter. It was only around a minute of chasing that he came across Batgirls slumped form on the ground. That buffoon must have dropped her. I could continue my chase... but I’m on a time limit. Batman will find me soon enough. He picked up Barbara’s body and headed back for his company.

[United States of Brainy]

Batgirl

The hero hadn't taken her advice. Instead of saving himself, he ran back for her after somehow managing to thunk the demon dog on the head. Babs knew that wouldn't keep the evil dog down for long as she felt herself being lifted and roughly tossed across the man's shoulders. She tried to protest, to once again tell her rescuer to leave her and go, but she was too weak for words. Despite his heavy armor, the mystery man sped along, perhaps hurried by fear. And he had good reason to fear. Already, Babs could hear Bane stomping through the brush like a charging rhino. Her rescuer quickened his pace, his armor plates digging into her as his shoulders heaved up and down. The branches flew past her and...

"Ugh!" A thin branch cracked against her skull. Then another, branches breaking like kindling. They became an onslaught as her savior started running at full speed, desperate to get away. Babs felt herself jostling unsteadily until...WHACK! A branch as thick as a log hit the crimefighter on the side of the head. It was the last thing she saw before her world turned black.

[Whalestron]

Cooper

The mutt quickly recovered from the Assailant's strike, shaking away the dots at the edge of his vision. He padded over to Bane, who he saw had managed to reclaim Batgirl. A growl escaped his throat, the words flowing out before he could stop himself. “Why don’t we kill her?” He spat. “The girl will only cause more trouble, and then what?”

Though he sounded determined, a quick reprimanding would easily knock some sense back into the hound. He took a step towards the big man whom the demon had subconsciously decided was his master.

[United States of Brainy]

8pm, on the dot…
In front of the Penny Arcade.

A white stretch limo pulled up. The chauffeur trotting out and opening the back door with a professional snap to his step. Inside, soft leather seats awaited with enough room for almost a dozen people. Several bottles of champagne sat in ice buckets ready to be popped open, along with a small fridge filled with beers and soda. Bags of chips and Cheetos leaned against styrofoam trays of Chinese carryout, wrapped burgers and fries and pizza boxes.

“Mr. Cobblepot thought you might be hungry,” the chauffeur explained with a smile. There was also a full entertainment system, TV, video games, the works. All ringed by wall-to-wall stereo speakers. “Shall we?” the chauffeur beckoned, bowing and waving his arm toward the door.

Once they were on their way, the car phone rang. “I trust you find your mode of transport to your liking, Mr. Coyne,” Oswald Cobblepot stated smoothly on the other end. “For yourself…and your youthful associates. The food selection and entertainment options were chosen with them specifically in mind. Happy beginnings lead to fruitful outcomes I always say.”

Dispensing with the pleasantries, the Penguin got down to business. “There’s been a slight change in plans. A different location for our meeting. Nothing to be alarmed about, I assure you. As for your partner in criminal opportunity, the ersatz Hatter, you needn’t worry about him either. Mr. Orwell has been gracious enough to offer him a ride. So sit back and relax.”



A short time later…

The limo came to a slow stop in front of the old 14th Precinct police station in Old Gotham. Abandoned by its previous tenants six months prior, it had found a second life with its present owners. Delivery trucks idled in back, men wheeling cases of product through their open cargo doors. Armed goons keeping a lookout and guarding the trucks.

“So, Coyne, what do you think of my little operation?” the Penguin asked, standing outside the front doors, arms extended. “What better place to hide an illicit drug factory than right inside a police station! No better way to thumb our noses at the GCPD!”

Another limo arrived, this one black. “Arthur, my dear Arthur,” Penguin exclaimed, walking down and embracing the Orwell Industries CEO as he emerged from the vehicle. “So glad you could make it. And rest assured, that little problem of yours had been, heh heh, ‘tied up’ shall we say.” A third limo parked and the last member of their group strode out to join them, an oily smile on his face. “Senator Cromley, a pleasure…as always,” Oswald grinned. “Gentlemen, now that all parties have been accounted for, let us proceed.”

Inside, the building had been completely converted. Hi-tech pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment filled the enclosed space. An assembly line and conveyor belt taking up the center of the floor space. A demonstration table had been set up in one of the labs. A half-dozen white-coated scientists stood around the table, waiting as Cobblepot and his entourage walked through the door. They were all set to begin.

And then Penguin’s phone rang.

“Excuse me, one moment please.” Oswald held the phone to his ear. Frantic shouting could be heard on the other end, a woman’s voice. Oswald listened, his face getting redder and redder until he threw the phone on the floor! “IMBECILES!!!” His men shrank back, afraid of what their boss might do or who he might take it out on. But Oswald calmed down, got control of himself again.

“This is what happens when you hire amateurs to do a professional’s job,” he offered as the only explanation. He waved his hand, beckoning Penny Pincher over. “I don’t wish to alarm the others,” he told Coyne in a low voice, “but the little problem I spoke of earlier has flown the coop. If you would be so kind as to spare a few of your boys, I have a job for them. They can take the SUVs parked outside. No need for you to go too, it’s a simple enough assignment, they should be more than capable.” Once Coyne’s boys had been given their marching orders, Penguin turned back to the group.

“Apologies, gentlemen. Nothing to worry about. Doctor, you may begin,” he signaled to the lead scientist standing around the table.

“Ahem,” the slightly balding man cleared his throat. “What do we all desire?” he asked. “What do we work all our lives to achieve but never do? Our dreams. But now…each and every man and woman can experience their dreams anytime they want. I give you…Blue Heaven!” He proudly held up an injection pen in both hands. Inside its transparent plastic case, a blue liquid glowed. “Young man,” the scientist gestured at Roosevelt. “If you could step forward…”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, this won’t hurt a bit,” the scientist reassured him, injecting the kid in the neck. “Good. Now, all I need you to do is imagine someone you’ve always wanted. For instance, is there a movie star that you find particularly attractive? Imagine a scenario with him or her. A date, just the two of you. Now just lie back and let your mind open up,” the doctor told him, easing Roosevelt back onto an examination couch.

‘The drug takes about three minutes to reach full effect. For some inexplicable reason, the effects are stronger during specific lunar cycles. Thankfully, we have an expert, a most ‘unusual’ expert to help us chart the optimum times. Like tonight. What the drug does, in simplest terms, is trick the mind into believing fantasy is reality. Whatever the subject imagines becomes real to them. In every way. Sight, sound, touch, taste and even smell, the subject is fully immersed. True virtual reality without the need for expensive hardware, without the need to rely on an AI that can never truly replicate someone’s most private desires. And without the violent side effects of a psychotropic like LSD. The subject remains docile for the entire experience. See for yourself.”

They all watched Roosevelt intently. “Congratulations, a rousing success!” the Penguin applauded afterwards. He turned to his partners. “Of course, there are side effects. Addiction, catatonia with prolonged use. But, as I say, caveat emptor. That’s the beauty of our American free enterprise system. The freedom to offer this wonderful new product to the consuming masses without government oversight or interference. That’s why I’ve invited each of you to join me. Orwell to supply the equipment and materials, Coyne to distribute and you James,” Oswald looked at the Senator, “to use that snake-oil charm of yours to grease the powers-that-be to leave our little endeavor unmolested.” Oswald gave a huge grin. “It’s foolproof I tell you! What could go wrong?”



NOW

Deputy

Layla showed up to the station quickly to find dozens of trucks and vans posing as various businesses waiting nearby. There were several armed guards and thugs with weapons outside of the entrance. Layla grappled her way to the building, launching herself right into the group of guards.

“It’s her!” One of them shouted, raising their weapon. “Get her!” Layla threw a smoke pellet right into their face. Then, as he stumbled backwards, grabbed his weapon and used it as a club against his head. She proceeded to fight with the others, narrowly avoiding a direct shot by dropping to the ground. Soon, though, the thugs had been taken down. Layla was about to enter the building when she heard frantic speaking behind her.

“Get those damn kids over here, fast! She's-“ he didn’t finish, as Layla smashed his face into the ground. She didn’t have any doubt in her mind that the Delacroix were going to be making their way to the precinct in a hurry.

Layla entered through the front door, but turned and took a vent straight along the ceiling as she followed her mask's direction to where she assumed the meeting would be taking place, where the phone's signal had been used. She’d occasionally stop to peek through the slitted vents, but continued on. Eventually she found herself above the offices. Layla listened to hear Arthur say something to Cobblepot, scared apparently.

She dropped down through the vent, taking in the faces of the three in front of her. Cobblepot, Orwell, and- it was her James. The bastard was white as a ghost, and he looked as if he’d seen one. “Hope I’m not interrupting something important.” She said casually.

“Deputy!” the Penguin barked. “How annoying but I can’t say that I’m surprised. I see that you’ve slipped the clutches of those I hired to capture you. How unfortunate…for you. I was so hoping to avoid this awkward moment.” Oswald eyed James Cromley, an evil smirk on his face. “What’s the matter, James? Don’t tell me you don’t recognize her? Your own daughter, standing right in front of you.” Oswald shook his head sadly. “Family secrets…breaks the heart.”

[Main Nation Ministry]

Joseph Coyne

Joseph Coyne gotten on his favorite green suit that he wore to the Iceberg Lounge and had call over the fellow Presidents to the Penny Arcade, who were busy finishing up the last of the adult movies they stole from the video store robbery. "What did you call us here for? We hadn't even finished our porn!" Washington complained, where Coyne slapped him at the back of his head. "Quit yapping about finishing up your stash! Roosevelt and I had a bit of a heated moment this morning. Seems like a known figure in this joint of a city Cobblepot is going to invite me to a meeting, so I can give you guys some coke." Coyne explained, as after Roosevelt gave him a piece of mint-flavored gum to chew, a white limo pulled up in front of the Arcade.

The boys looked mystified at the sight of a chauffeur opening the doors of the limo for them. They practically felt like celebrities, including Coyne. Coyne was still on his guard, however, bringing his trusty two pistols at his side to make sure that the meeting isn't a set-up of some kind. He did admit. He needed some champagne after a rough morning. The boys were practically feasting upon food that would belong at a 5-star buffet, easily manipulated.

When they did get to the meeting spot, which was an old police precinct station in Old Gotham. The presence of cops didn't exist, as it seems like Cobblepot has gotten the whole place to himself. When asked about the operation by the Penguin, Coyne knew this wasn't just some "little" operation. "You practically gotten the whole Vice Squad in your hands. A bit of a snow job in there, I bet." Coyne remarked to the Penguin, who didn't seem to catch that last bit. When Coyne and the Presidents entered with two other guests, Coyne was surprised to see the interior of the place converted in a drug lab that looked more like a pharmaceutical company. Coyne was suspicious, as he didn't know any thing of drug that would be made in here, unless they were making mass quantities of it at once.

Penguin's phone rang, where after a bit of a tense phone call, Penguin called Coyne over. Penguin asked if Coyne can have some of his boys do a bit of a job. "Well, Cobblepot. You do realize that they are my-" Coyne was about to say more, until... "Damn right!" Jefferson said, excited where Washington seemed to tag along. Roosevelt wanted to join, but Coyne put his hand on Roosevelt's shoulder to prevent him from leaving. The two were already willing to cooperate, seeing how Penguin had tons of luxuries that Washington and Jefferson couldn't afford. Coyne sighed when he saw the state of the two. "Fine, you two! Do what the Penguin said. But if he gives you money in return, you better show it to me! I'm not running a bodyhire for hire company, so you two better also stay loyal to me! You understand?" Coyne demanded to the two, who already were heading to several SUV's outside of the police station.

Well, Coyne knew that all the help he was going to use to protect himself that wasn't his weapons was Roosevelt. After the presentation started, Coyne expected the scientists to show off some pure quality batches of cocaine. What Coyne saw instead of cocaine was...what was that? The thing that Coyne saw in the injection pen was..blue? Was that supposed to be a form of meth? And why were they calling it "Blue Heaven?" Coyne was too lost in thought, trying to figure out what the hell Cobblepot cooked up to realize that the scientists were having Roosevelt be given the first fresh hit of the stuff. "Wait, what are you doing?!" Coyne yelled, the moment Roosevelt let himself be injected in the neck.

Roosevelt looked like he was confused what he was seeing at first, until he started to smile and giggle a bit at what he was saying in his eyes. "I like the smell of the flowers around me.." Roosevelt said, experiencing a high that he probably never encountered before. After the Penguin finished speaking, Coyne wanted answers. "Cobblepot, what the hell is this?! When I ask for product, I thought you were just give me some coke! Not this science-fiction alien blood bullshit!" "Nah, it's fine..I can feel my emotion more easily than I should. I can feel actual love. I can experience the flow and the balance of things." Roosevelt said to Coyne, where suddenly, a random woman busted out from the vents near Coyne.