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seandcThis comes from commentary on snippets on another fanfic, with the CFT versions of the characters taking over for their counterparts. I don't know who wrote the original.
Context Fusion Theatre presents The Fanfic "Courtmartial"
Note, we just went with the commenting on a sentence by sentence basis, so the only thing going forward was the original fic. Good thing too, or the characters would just be running around in the same scene for a long time.
Also, we don't really think John Stewart or any Green Lanterns are like this, in comics or cartoon, we're just running with the hyperbole turned up to 11... *gives Green Lanterns cookies*
Anna1: I found a great fanfic. Courtmartial. Nightwing goes to trial after Blockbuster is killed.
Batman actually acts like a normal human being. He even hugs Nightwing. Scary at first. :lol:
SeanDC: Awww :lol:
Anna1: Nightwing isn't sure how to react. :lol:
Everyone believes Nightwing killed Blockbuster, and then did it on the roof with someone. (Technically, yes. It was Tarantula, but he wasn't conscious. Babs figures out that she forced him.)
"Dick ran his hands through his hair. His fingers interlocked as his hands rested on the back of his head. "I killed him."
"I don't believe that. Look at me." Bruce's voice was firm. A deceiving calm that did not betray the raging tides of his emotions.
"Why're you here?"
"You're here. Now look at me and tell me what really happened."
"I told you! I kill--"
"Nightwing! Report!" His voice was gruff, firm, and in control."
"No report. I haven't been to school for years."
Bruce is trying to be comforting. He's not good at it. :lol:
"Bruce's arms wrapped around his son in an uncomfortable hug. This man wasn't accustomed to showing his emotions, but his heart was breaking as much as his child's was. "Never think it would be better if you died. Never. Nothing could be worse than that. Especially for me."
"I gave up on hope. Bruce, I gave up."
"Shh, shh. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but it will get better. You didn't give up. You made a mistake. You're human, you're allowed. I know this because my son told me that."
Teacher in flashback: Mistakes will not be tolerated!
For once, Bruce thinks it's ok to make a mistake.
After Babs found out about Tarantula, she sent a few people after her. Batman, Catwoman, Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress. They are furious on Dick's behalf. (The only one who knows what Tarantula did to him other than Babs, is Black Canary.)
"A few people" - love the understatement. :lol:
Yes. :D
At one point, Batman's trying to find Taratula. So he dangles a guy out a window. It doesn't work, so he tells Catwoman to hurt him as much as she wants. The poor guy is terrified when Catwoman gets her whip. :lol:
Canary: We're sending in a negotiator!
Random baddie: We'll be ready! *chk-cha!*
...
...
Where is he?
Behind him: *snikt*
Huntress: You're wrecking a lot of people's OTP!!
Huntress: And you ruined a guy's mind! Time for death! And then, you'll be torn apart by Catwoman, or used as a puching bag for Batman till the end of your days!
At one point, Tim blames himself. That's just weird.
It's the Batclan. Weird is normal.
This is true. :D And brooding is really normal. :lol:
This is a normal day in the Bat Clan. :D
Tim: *brood. brood. brood.*
Bruce: What's wrong?
Tim: Just keeping in practice. Can't get rusty with the brooding.
Bruce: I know. I haven't brooded in a week. Need a brooding buddy?
Tim: Sure.
Both: *brood ---brood--angst--pity--brood--brood.*
*sneaks into the studios producing the Batman animated series - replaces the title music with that of Angel...*
I love this part of the fanfic. Alfred tells Cassandra to stop lurking, and eat her pudding. :D
Tim looked up from the table. "Because." It was a statement. It should be enough explanation. Seeing the quizzical expression on Alfred's face, Tim continued. "If I had still been Robin, Dick would've called me. I would've had his back. This wouldn't have happened."
Alfred turned back to the counter and returned the large bowl to the refrigerator. He pulled the gallon of milk out and poured two glasses. "He could have called Master Bruce or Miss Cassandra or --"
"No he couldn't," Tim exclaimed. "Calling in Bruce would've been saying he couldn't do the job, that he couldn't handle it. And calling in Cass well ... no ... this ... he needed me. Needed me, and I failed him. Now I'm gonna lose him forever."
Alfred sat a bowl of chocolate pudding and a glass of milk before Tim. "Rubbish. This is not your fault Master Tim. Master Dick could have called in a number of people to aid him; however he is so like Master Bruce that he was determined to handle the Blockbuster situation alone. I saw him in Bludhaven after the explosion of his building. Don't be so quick to convict him either. Miss Barbara assured Master Bruce and me that this was far from a sure thing. Now eat your pudding." He turned to the counter and took the other bowl of pudding and glass of milk and sat it at the table. "Miss Cassandra, please come from the shadows and eat your pudding as well."
Alfred's turned into Homer's Brain :lol:
"Eat the pudding eat the pudding eat the pudding eat the pudding..."
I know. :D
"Tim turned to see Cassandra emerge from the inky blackness of the corner on the other side of the room. She pulled her Batgirl mask off her face and dropped it on the table as she sat across from Tim. She picked up a spoon and started eating. Looking up at Tim, she said, "He should've called me."
How do you hide in the corner of the kitchen? :lol:
It's the Bat-manor - shadows all over the place :lol: Or she could've been in the ceiling-corner, like Kurt or River would be...
"You ... you're bluffing. You just want to scare me. You wouldn't kill --"
"The rules changed. We kill now. Haven't you heard? Nightwing killed Blockbuster, so I can kill you." Batman thrust him further out the window so all of the man was hanging out the window over the street below. "If the fall doesn't kill you, I'm sure the traffic will. Nightwing tells me rush hour's murder. Where. Is. She?"
Scaring him doesn't help, since the guy doesn't know.
OK, and that's weird.
Dick broke out of his cell, so he could get something out of the JLA's fridge. He'll be back in his cell in a moment. :lol:
Nightwing sat on the coffee table in front of him. "My medical file. You think it's going to help my case?"
Wally rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms above his head. "Babs thinks it will. So she's ordered me to make a list of your injuries and look at your statement and piece a time line together of when you got each --" Wally stopped mid sentence and stared at his friend. "How'd you get out of your cell?"
Nightwing shrugged. Reaching up, he pulled his mask off and dropped it on the table beside him. "Doesn't matter." He stood up and headed for the kitchenette, "Got any Zesti?"
"In the fridge," Wally managed to sputter out. "Dick, you ... you're supposed to be ... You broke out?"
"No. I just let myself out. I'll let myself back in later when we're done."
He's playing with his captors' minds!
"Dick! You BROKE out!"
"No I didn't. Not technically. I didn't break anything ... exactly ... getting out and I'm going back later." He sipped his Zesti. "Besides, I was bored and I was thinking about my case. I don't have a comm in there so I couldn't call you or Babs, so I let myself out and checked the computer which said you were still here."
Wally looked at Dick dumbfounded. The holding cells on the Watch Tower were supposed to be impenetrable and escape proof."
Wait, the JLA is holding him?! Although, I guess it's far safer than being locked up in the Haven...
Yes. He called Superman and begged him to arrest him after Blockbuster was killed. They're holding a trial. If he's convicted, he'll be sent to a prison offworld.
And that is the exact reason why he won't be going to prison in the Haven or Gotham. And to protect Bruce's identity. (For once, he didn't care if it was revealed.)
Dick's blue eyes glared. He knew where Wally was headed and he didn't want to follow. Decisively, he changed the subject. "Did you examine my uniform when you bagged it the night I was arrested?"
"No," Wally replied shaking his head.
"Ok, that's the first thing. I think she had a tracker on me." Dick sat the empty Zesti can on the coffee table, stood and paced a small distance. "She left her brother's apartment before me. She wasn't with me when I went to meet Amy at the Nightwing signal."
"Whoa. Back up. Nightwing signal? Dude, that is just ... wrong ... on so many levels."
I was going to ask, but Wally beat me to it :lol:
I know. I had the same question in my mind. :lol: When it's released in trade paperback, I'll see if it's true. :lol:
Ouch. Babs sent Starfire after the bad guys, too. This is what she said when she was trying to interrogate someone:
"Either you tell me what I want to know or this time I won't catch you. I am NOT Nightwing and I don't have the same moral ... human ... code he does. I was born a warrior on a planet of warriors and I would just as well see you splattered into unrecognizable splatches than to see you in a cell. Do. You. Understand?"
Again with the "few people" understatement. Given all the powers even in the first part, I was thinking "Ok, we're sending someone after you..."
cut to:
"I am FIRE I am CHAOS!!..."
"I...am...Starfire!"
Dick: Hey, I thought they'd send Phoenix!
Bruce: Close enough!
Especially after she started saying things like "Mmmmmm... stars..."
Dick: Maybe she is a Phoenix. Look at the scary hair.
Bruce: *facepalm.*
Even in prison, he can't keep his foot out of his mouth :lol:
True. :D
And Batman and Catwoman found Tarantula's apartment--but she wasn't there. They found a few pictures of Nightwing on the walls. She was obsessed with him apparently.
"Batman nodded. "It would seem that this person had more training than FBI or even John Law. She had help. Money from Blockbuster for sophisticated surveillance. And training from --"
Catwoman's eyes widened. "Someone that knew how he thought and what he looked for."
Batman nodded curtly. "Either Nightwing trained her or someone he trained did." He slammed the photographs on the counter. "This is where she is. She's using his base, his equipment. She wants him or to be him."
Catwoman turned to face him. "It's a good possibility." She watched him turn and head for the balcony. She followed him as he silently shot off his jump line into the night. "Why don't you join me Catwoman? Why certainly Batman," she mocked as she cracked her whip across to the neighboring building and followed him into the ebony night."
And Nightwing finally decides to go back to his cell. :lol:
"Just be careful Roy," Dick added.
"I'm always careful."
"Oh puhlease," Wally said standing behind Dick. "You are never careful. Do I even need to remind you about that time we were fighting the Brotherhood of Evil in Boston and you --"
"OK that's enough Wally! I'll be careful! I'll be the soul of caution! Mr. Precaution signing off," Roy said with a mock salute as he closed the commuter connection between them.
Wally still stuck his tongue out at the now black monitor. "He won't be careful. He'll get himself injured just to spite us."
Dick looked up at him with a lopsided grin. "Probably. But he'll get the job done." He watched Wally nod before he stood. "Well, I better head back to my cell before the JLA realizes they're missing a prisoner."
*behind him, a slight tapping-foot-on-floor noise*
Supes: *a-hem*
Actually, it was Booster Gold and Blue Beetle.
Well, I had the right idea.
Ted Kord's mouth dropped open. "What is going on here? How did he get out?" He was pointing at Nightwing and looking accusingly at the civilian dressed Wally West. "You're helping him escape!"
Wally looked at Beetle indignantly. "I'm not helping him escape! He's not escaping! He's going back. I was just walking with him."
"How'd he get out?" The Blue Beetle asked, placing his hands on his hips.
Wally threw his arms in the air. "I dunno. He's Nightwing. He does stuff like that all the time. He always has."
"Oh, so he makes a habit of jailbreaks!"
"Blue Beetle wasn't listening. "It doesn’t matter, Booster.” Kord jerked his arm back. “It is a crime and that’s the problem. He thinks that none of the rules apply to him. Staying in his cell or not killing. That means nothing, because he’s reckless and doesn’t care. It’s all about doing what
he wants! While the rest of us struggle everyday to do the right thing. His escape is just the latest recklessness act. He doesn't care who he hurts.”
Booster rolled his eyes and leaned into the wall behind Ted, crossing his arms over his chest. He mumbled as he crossed his legs. “Yeah, well at least he’s not having a some kind of fit in the middle of the hall.”
Ted whirled back to him. “SHUT UP Booster!”
Booster shrugged. “I guess Blue Beetle is Italian for Uptight Spaz.”
Ted growled, but turned back at Dick’s voice."
"I didn't escape. I didn't leave the Watch Tower. I wasn't planning on leaving the Watch Tower," Dick interjected. It was irritating being talked about as if he was not in the room.
"You're NOT in your cell. This clearly shows what you think of rules and laws." Ted turned his fury directly at Nightwing.
"It shows I needed to talk to Wally. That's all it shows!" Nightwing said moving closer to Beetle. Nightwing was mere inches from Blue Beetle "I don't have a com link in the cell to CALL him. I don't have any way to call anyone. The have telephones in the Bludhaven jail, I don't have anything."
"You're a prisoner! YOU don't get to roam the halls. You gave up that right when you KILLED someone!"
This is either going to end with severe slappage, or clasping-in-irons.
Unfortunately, it's the latter.
I was right?! O_o
Yes, you were right. :lol:
And on the way back to his cell, Nightwing is beaten up by John Stewart (Green Lantern).
"Nightwing grimaced. The pain in his back was searing, but it was the conversation around him was maddening. Ignoring the pain, he pushed himself up, rocked back on his heels and sprung into a fighting stance. "Don't try that again."
"Or you'll do what?" Lantern yelled across the hall.
"Take that ring and make you eat it," Nightwing replied as his eyes narrowed and his voice dropped a few octaves as he spoke. Wally stood beside him ready to assist his friend however he needed to."
And shackles show up. You were completely right.
"Okay, everyone calm down," Ted said trying to get a handle on the escalating situation. He had never meant for this to go this far. "Get outta the way, Wally ... we'll escort him to where he belongs." His eyes watched Nightwing. He knew he had to be in pain from the power ring's blast, but he had obviously pushed the pain away. Nightwing was everything that the Bat was. He did not want to continue this confrontation. "Um ... we need shackles, I think. Or ... something."
And then the Green Lantern summons up an Agony Booth!
Thankfully, no. But it's close.
Agonisers then. JLA from the Mirror Universe...
Thankfully, no. :lol:
Oops. Superman showed up--and he's furious.
"ENOUGH!"
"All eyes turned to face an angry Superman as he floated a foot above the floor behind John Stewart.
Blue Beetle stammered, "Uh ... he escaped. We caught him."
Superman floated over to Nightwing and checked out his back through the rip in his costume. "That's a nasty burn. Were you escaping, Dick?
Booster Gold moved over. "He says no. I think he was on his way back."
"I was going back. I promised I'd stay and I'm staying ... all the way to the end. I just needed to talk to Wally," Nightwing replied. He grimaced slightly. The loss of adrenaline caused the pain to resurface.
Superman smiled at Nightwing and placed his hand on his shoulder. Nodding at Booster, he said softly, "Thanks."
Green Lantern then decides they're all in it together and chains them all up! In kryptonite!
He wants to. Not in Kryptonite, anyway. Blue Beetle agrees. They're in the minority.
Oh, he wants the Kryptonite. He wants to use it bad on those skels.
Probably. :lol:
"You have the right to remain SILENT!" ZAAAAPPP!!! "Anything you say ain't gonna be heard down here anyway!" *chainwhip!*
Ooh, nice. Catwoman beat up Tarantula. :D
"Tarantula righted herself during her fall, bending her knees tightly to her chest then executing a flip in the air. Hitting the ground somewhat unsteadily she managed to land on her feet. Sneering at Catwoman, she taunted, "That was a lucky shot. You won't get that lucky again."
Catwoman smirked. "I don't have to." Taking her index finger, she pointed at herself and said, "Cheese." Pointing at Tarantula, she then stated, "Rat." The pointing the same index finger straight up, Catwoman finished with, "Trap," as Batman broke through the skylight gliding down with his arms outstretched and his cape billowing behind him."
Oh, he's just doing that for effect :lol:
Yes. :D
And Batman attacked Tarantula. Catwoman just sat back and watched. :D
"Honey, give it up, it won't hurt quite as much. It will still hurt," Catwoman commentated as she watched from her perch."
*passes Catwoman some popcorn*
Good idea. She loves the show. :lol:
Instantly, Batman's hands grabbed Tarantula, flinging her off him and into the wall. Snarling, he continued his attack. He smashed her face into the wall pressing his knee into her back. "You. Will. Tell. What. You. Did. You. Will. Clear. Nightwing."
Tarantula grimaced in pain. "I won't ... lie," she moaned. "We killed Blockbuster. ... Together."
"AHHH ... wrong answer," Catwoman commented casually as she dropped down to the main floor. She knew she needed to be closer, if only to keep Batman from doing something he would later regret.
And in the middle of the fight, Superman called Batman to mention the fact that Green Lantern injured Nightwing. Batman was not happy.
Oh dear... someone's going to have some anger issues worked out on them...
Batman didn't trust himself not to kill Tarantula, so he let Catwoman finish beating her up.
Jayne will be in his bunk :lol:
And Zoe will show up to slap him.
And Batman, for encouraging him.
Yes. And Catwoman, for just being there.
And Tarantula, so she doesn't feel left out.
Yes. Zoe, Batman, and Catwoman can take turns beating her up.
And she wouldn't even work up a sweat. :lol:
Meanwhile, Nightwing and Booster bond.
"Sighing, Dick ran his hand through his hair, "I dunno. I dunno anything about anything anymore. You're right I'm not thinking clearly."
Booster smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "I've made a lifestyle of not thinking clearly. I recognize the signs. Hey, did I ever tell you how I once cured the bubonic plague?"
"Uh ... no ... you never did," Dick said with a smile.
Booster followed Dick into the common area of the secure area as the door closed behind them. "Sit down and let me tell you about it."
Greenie: Or you skels can SHUT THE *bleep* UP in there before I have to BREAK YOUR *bleeping* MOUTHS!!
Now Wonder Woman is hearing what happened--it gave her a headache. :lol:
Wonder Woman threw her hands into the air, "Stop. No bickering. Please."
She turned to Green Lantern, "Nightwing was escaping?"
"Yes," Lantern replied.
"NO!" Flash yelled. "He was not. We had been talking about the case in my quarters and we were going back to his cell."
Wonder Woman turned her attention to Flash, "So you had escorted Nightwing to your quarters to work on his case and were escorting him back?"
Flash scratched the back of his head while he looked at her. There was something about her stance that reminded him of his old fifth grade teacher at Blue Valley Elementary. "Well, uh, no ... not exactly. I was escorting him back. He had escorted himself to my room."
Lemme guess, she's in the middle of Supes and GL arguing?
Exactly.
Oh, that explanation will go down well...
It just gave Diana more of a headache, and she decided to try to figure it out later. :lol:
She decided to do something easier - like listen to an explanation of the Grey-Summers family tree.
That's probably true. :lol:
Oh, no. Batman is on the way to see Green Lantern. :D
Oh, I wouldn't want to be in his stylish yet affordable boots :lol:
"Yeah, bet Lantern could use a pint after Bats gets done with him," Plastic Man added as he picked up the cards to deal again.
Booster grinned. “Or maybe a few quarts of blood.”
"Superman called and said you were injured. What happened?"
Barbara spoke. "Your son decided he needed to speak to Wally and instead of waiting like a good little prisoner, he opened the door and walked out." She shook her head as Dick rolled his eyes and continued, "I've explained to him why that was not the smartest move he's ever made. And why he will not do it again."
Batman's jaw flexed. "How were you injured?"
Dick stood, "Lantern used his ring. Energy beam hit me in the back knocking me down. I've got a bruise on my back. That's pretty much it. It's no big deal."
"Yes. It. Is."
"No it's not."
"This is different."
"Why?"
"Because."
*hears Babs in Lynda from Press Gang's voice* :D
And later...
"Exactly," Green Lantern interjected. "That is exactly my point. We need to ensure that he is in custody, secure in his confinement, and not able to break out whenever he pleases."
"I didn't break out," Nightwing said exasperated.
"Hush. Don't say anything!" Barbara ordered. "Not another word."
Flash leaned over and whispered in Nightwing's ear, "Technically, you did." He shrugged when his friend gave him the famous Bat glare and added, "It's not like you were just in the neighborhood."
How helpful :lol:
Babs knows that whenever Dick opens his mouth, he just digs himself in deeper and deeper. :lol:
Oh, boy. Looks like Cheshire was behind Tarantula arriving in Bludhaven. The plan was just to irritate Nightwing, apparently.
Roy is not happy.
Meanwhile, I'm waiting for Green Lantern to leave the room, and Batman to attack him.
Well, he has to have time to think up something spectacularly jerktacular to say...
Very, very true.
He's all ready done a lot of that. And Batman is holding on to his anger by a thread, from what I can tell.
Lantern: I can see where that little murderer gets his temper from.
Batman: Right, that's it, it's GO TIME!!
You're about to tell me GL said that, aren't you?
Yes. :D Stewart did make a mention of something like that at one point. That was after they found him wandering the Watchtower.
The JLA also wanted someone to make restraints that Nightwing couldn't get out of.
"Wonder Woman looked around the room. "Mr. Miracle, would you please devise and prepare the restraints?"
"No."
"And Plastic -- No?" Wonder Woman said turning back to Mr. Miracle. "Pardon me, I don't think I understand."
"I said no. I will not participate in this. I am an escape artist not a jailer. I do not agree with these proceedings, I certainly do not agree with your decision to put Nightwing in shackles, and I refuse to participate." Scott Free's eyes met Dick Grayson's. He gave Dick a nod, turned and walked out of the room. Barda and Orion standing and following the true son of High Father. "
Lantern: Oh, I'll restrain him all right! *rings a bunch of metal strips into existance, a la the restraints Polaris used on Prof. Xavier at Genosha*
Babs: Dickie, if you escape again I'll roll over your feet for being bloody stupid!!
Dick: I'll be good! I'll be good!"
John Stewart: Proof the Bat Clan is full of hot heads! I vote for death!
Batman: *facepalm.*
Or:
Stewart: And then... then it'll be *my* turn, boy; and everyone had better remember who said this murdering little toerag couldn't be trusted in the first place!"
Diana and Bruce run into each other outside of the courtroom.
"Contemplation. Sometimes I ... I think too much."
Cocking her head, she smiled. "It is what you are."
"Yes. And we can't change who we are."
She sighed. "Some have."
Batman's jaw flexed. "I better go. Princess." He headed toward the door. His heavy strides on the metal floor echoing and reverberating in the room.
"No ... that ... that was uncalled for. I apologize. I should not have said --"
Batman whirled and looked at her. His face a mask of emotion, however his eyes betrayed him. "I don't want to unduly influence you Diana ... but ... just ... listen to him before you make up your mind. At least, ... give my son a chance. More of a chance in the trial than you gave him in the hearing earlier tonight."
Diana called Hephaestus to forge chains to hold Nightwing. That'll fix any attempts to get out.
The writer is, I take it, a Bruce/Selina shipper then.
Apparently, since Bruce and Selina were fighting together. :lol:
Well, that too. Just this would be a pretty big roadbump in a Bruce/Diana ship...
Very true. :lol:
And Selina, Starfire, and Huntress caught Tarantula. They brought her to the Watchtower--Dick saw her and had a panic attack.
Green Lantern: *sees this* Oo-hoo! Lock her in the cell facing the little scrote's! Heh heh heh.
Actually, she's just in a holding area for the moment--which is near Dick's cell.
"Aren't you," Booster shook his hand pointing toward her, "Catwoman?"
"Yes," she purred.
He scratched his head and looked at Plastic Man. "I'm confused. I thought Catwoman was a villain. Why's she on the Watch Tower and who let her in?"
"She came with me," Starfire replied. "She works with Batman."
"Smart cookie, this red head," Catwoman added. "Works with ... not FOR ... Batman. There's a big difference there."
Starfire's green eyes seemed to glow. "Let me see Nightwing."
"I'm not sure if he's supposed to have visitors," Plastic Man started. "Until he's restrained."
"I was not asking."
Plastic Man entered the code to open the cell door and allow Starfire entrance. Quickly he closed the door and moved to a table in the center of the room. "I don't know who's worse, her or Batman."
Lantern: *Me*, sunshine. My my, letting him have visitors. Aiding and abetting, I think!" ZAP!!
And this author is definitely for Bruce/Selina.
"Each current active member has a personalized suite," she said as if giving a tour as they walked.
"Can't wait to see the bats in his room."
A smile cracked on Huntress's face. "You think that's what he put up?"
"Probably hasn't personalized it at all, if I know him. He would consider it a waste of his time."
"You know him very well don't you?" Huntress asked.
"Yes, as well as anyone I suppose," Catwoman replied, memories coming unbidden to her mind."
...
"We are gonna to do nothing. You are going to return to Gotham." He crossed the distance between them, looked into her green eyes, turned on his heels and headed toward the kitchenette.
"Not so fast buster. You aren't dismissing me like this."
"I'm not dismissing you Selina, I just ..." he turned and walked past her handing her a cola as he passed. "You don't need to involve yourself in this."
"I am already involved." She sat the drink on the counter and followed him to the black leather sofa and sat beside him, her hand coming to rest on his thigh. "This involves Dick and you and that means it involves me. Like it or not. Whatever you are planning, you better plan on three rather than two."
"Selina,"
"No. Don't you 'Selina' me, Bruce Wayne. Besides, I have more experience in being on the lam from superheroes than you do." He turned the infamous Bat glare on her. She smiled. "Don't try that glare with me. It's never worked. Honestly, I don't see why it ever worked with anyone else either. I know exactly what you have on your mind and I intend to help you. Get used to it."
She's perfect for him :lol:
I know. They think alike. :D
And she mustve been spending time with Alfred and Babs, in the past. To build up resistance to the bat-glare :D
I don't see it working on either of them, so they're the logical people to learn how from :D
And the restraints they used are not good for Nightwing. They'll cause him to be electrocuted.
"As soon both feet left the confines of the cell, his arms pulled together. Chains appeared connecting the shackles, snaking around his waist and heading in a Y shape to the chains that connected the manacles around his ankles. His eyes followed the chains and he noticed that the fetters had appeared overtop his boots. Scowling, he looked up at Wonder Woman.
"I am sorry, Nightwing, you gave us no choice. When you are in your cell, that conference room," she said pointing to the meeting area contained within the secure area of the Watch Tower, "and in the Hall of Justice, the chains will not be evident. Only when you are elsewhere in the Tower will they be present. That is because anywhere else in the Tower is off limits to you."
"Fine," he growled.
"I need to warn you Nightwing," Diana continued. "Those chains could hold Superman. Further, any attempts to tamper with the cuffs will result in a painful experience to you."
"What do you mean painful?" Kory asked, angrily.
"The restraints also contain the power of Zeus' thunderbolt. Any tampering will result in excruciating pain as you are struck with the thunderbolt. Painful, but not lethal, unless it is continuously used in a short period."
*watches GL hook up more juice*
He hasn't been told yet. :lol:
So, technically, if he thinks about escaping he'll be struck by lightning.
Mostly, he's busy having a breakdown at the moment. He's finally left alone and is busy destroying the cell after seeing Tarantula.
Lantern: Look, 'e's smashing the cell apart! Sedate him! Seda... oh yeah, I can do it..." *ZAAAAPPPP!!"
Batman: Stop that!
Lantern: NO!!!!
Batman: *Tosses him around, steals the ring.*
Superman: The Earth is doomed.
Batman: Why?
Superman: Because you have the ring.
Batman: The ring you see before you die in 7 days?!
Superman: Wrong ring--but close knowing our luck.
"Don't be so sure," Wally interjected. "You weren't at the hearing yesterday."
Roy ran his hand through his hair and turned toward Wally, a puzzled expression on his face. "What hearing?"
"The one we lost."
"Lost? What?"
Wally tossed a can of Zesti towards Roy. "Tell me you have good news. Tell me Cheshire and Tarantula planned everything to maneuver Dick into that stairwell and they were using a drug to control him which prevented him from stopping Tarantula from murdering Blockbuster."
Roy looked at his friends, then down at the Zesti. A sigh moved into his throat, but he refused to exhale. He shook his head and tossed the Zesti back at his friend. "I need a beer instead."
Now a few Teen Titans are planning to break Dick out of prison.
“What are you doing?” Garth asked standing.
“What Nightwing taught us. Planning. It’s time to get serious. In or out Garth?” Roy asked again.
Garth smiled and moved over, “Leave you two to plan? We’ll be living on the run eating can cheese.”
Wally shook his head. “Hey no dissing of the miracle food of can cheese.”
*Green Lantern sets up big nets for Titans*
No, he doesn't know. :lol:
Forward planning, just in case :lol:
Unfortunately, during the trial what Tarantula did to Nightwing will come up.
"So we tell them ... everything?"
"Yes."
Dick's jaw flexed. "Is there any way we can keep out --"
"No." Barbara sighed and looked down. She pulled a legal pad closer, grabbed a pen, and began to scribble to avoid his gaze. "We pull them in ... make them live what you lived, feel what you felt. We do it so that they understand. So that they get inside your head."
"You think understanding will help?" he asked her.
"Yes. It will. The prosecution has to prove intent. That you intended for Tarantula to kill Blockbuster."
Lantern: He did! He planned it! I have his confession! *rings crayon-on-cocktail-napkin note into existance*
Oh, no. Jean Loring for the prosecution. (Pre Identity Crisis.)
Apparently, Bruce is going to live on the Watchtower until the whole thing with Nightwing is over. Alfred's going to be lonely.
Wild butler parties ahoy! :lol:
Yes. :D More food for Tim and Cass. :lol:
Incredibly, Bruce decided to wear normal clothes on the Watchtower.
Normal for who?
Normal for regular people. He's not wearing his costume, he's wearing a normal suit, tie, and pants.
*Bruce wanders around dressed as Exiles!Sabretooth*
*Plastic Man joins the gag by morphing into... well, Morph*
Superman: *sees strange costume.*
Batman: What? I thought I'd dress up for the trial.
Superman: This will not help Dick's case.
Batman: Maybe it can prove that all the Bat Clan is crazy?
Superman: We all ready knew that.
Well, it could be worse. He could dress up as Namora instead :lol:
That would be scary. And Superman would have him thrown in Arkham. :lol:
"It's spiraled out of control," Bruce finished, finally turning his gaze from the blue and white orb to his friend.
"Yes," Clark said, frustration emanating from every fiber of his being.
"So you expected the goody-goody's to just pat him on the wrist, say bad Nightwing, sit in the corner before you go home?" a new voice questioned.
Clark spun and watched Selina Kyle emerge from the kitchen, a martini glass in her hand. "You're Catwoman."
She smiled wickedly, tilted her head in Bruce's direction, and said, "He's quick. You should make him an honorary detective."
Bruce rolled his eyes slightly as he moved to join her at the sofa. "Selina is staying with me for the duration of the trial." He sat, taking her hand in his. She curled herself into his body and smiled up at Clark, before gesturing for him to have a seat."
Clark gladly took the seat and looked at the scene before him. If one did not know better, they seemed a perfect example of domestic bliss. The Bat and the Cat. The world was definitely topsy-turvy. "I honestly don't know what I was thinking. I was trying to protect ... Nightwing."
Selina took a sip of her martini as a feral smile crossed her soft features. "Dick," she winked at him.
Clark raised an eyebrow and nodded as Bruce spoke. "The Justice League is supposed to stand for justice and you were trying to help everyone involved ... especially Dick."
"How's Lois? Anyone toss her off a building lately?" Selina said, giving a wicked grin.
Clark’s mouth fell open and he gaped out her. "Ms. Lane is fine."
Selina sipped her drink. "Really? Good to know. You know, if I was married to a superhero, I'd at least take his last name," she rested her head on Bruce's arm and gazed up at him. A slight laugh escaped her lips as his body fidgeted beneath her.
“You ...” He turned to Bruce. “You told her?”
Selina cocked her head, “You know you look a bit like a fish gasping for air when you do that.”
Bruce shook his head, “Not really. She heard me call you Clark, she knows that Superman and Lois Lane are close and Clark Kent and Lois Lane are married. She’s an honorary detective too.”
Selina grinned, “You pick up a thing or two playing cat and mouse with the bat in Gotham.”
Bruce looked over. “I always caught you.”
Selina purred, “I always let you."
Clark smiled. “Lois will love this side of you. We all have to have dinner when this is over.”
“No.” Bruce shook his head, but it was simultaneously countered with Selina’s, “YES!”
Clark grinned.
And the author is definitely for Bat/Cat. :D
Ya think? :D
Yes. :lol:
And I love the fact that it's a tradition to throw Lois off a building. :lol:
If Megoville/Twisted Toyfare Theatre ever included DC Megos, they could have her thrown off (yet another) Baxter Building as it's launched into space (like all the others) :lol:
True. :D
Batman: Selina? It's time to throw Lois again.
Selina: Yay!
Lois: *halfheartedly* Help. Superman. Please...help.
Clark: *catches her.* Not much urgency in that call.
Lois: It's a monthly thing. I'm used to it.
Clark: Who threw you this time?
Lois: Batman and Catwoman.
Clark: Again? How many times this year?
Lois: 50...but who's counting?
Clark: Monthly? I thought weekly.
Lois: You're right. Forgot the last couple times.
Tim and Dick are playing card games to stop the boredom.
Dick shrugged. "It was a thought. And there was a connection." He shrugged again before changing the conversation. It was enjoyable to not discuss his case or situation, if just for an afternoon. "So, you like being Oracle Jr"
"Yeah. It's better than just sitting at home all night being 'normal'" Tim replied using his fingers to make air quotes when he said the word normal. "I'd rather be Robin but, it's doing something."
"Hmm" Dick pretended to muse. "We need a new name for you. Something spiffy." Snapping his fingers, Dick paced back and forth in front of the bunk. "Ooooo, I got it ... CyberBoy ... CompHero ... DigitalDude ... DigitalDork"
Tim stuck his tongue out, made a loud, obnoxious noise as he gave Dick the raspberry. "Why don't you leave the attempts at humor to me? I can actually accomplish it."
Stewart: Look! He thinks he's Gambit! Stop him! Stop... oh yeah, I can do it...
*rings up a giant vaccuum to steal all the cards. zaps both Dick and Tim as an afterthought*
It was let them do that, or have him die from boredom before the trial. :lol:
"Excuse me? You do realize you are talking to the king of puns"
"Exactly. That's why I said leave the humor to me." Tim smiled proudly.
Dick grinned back. "Okay, fine. Leave the noogies to me." He reached for Tim who tried to jump out of the way. Tim was unsuccessful and Dick grabbed him and started boring his balled fist into the boy's wavy black hair. "Say Dick rules! Say it" he called as the uncommon sound of laughter echoed in the cell.
Dick: Say Dick rules!
Tim: I can't! Oracle will kill me!
"Never" Tim yelled before melting into a fit of laughter. "Okay, okay, Dick rules " Dick grined and sat back down taking the dice in his hands. Tim stuck his tongue out at him"- the toilet! Dick rules the toilet"
"I'm having no mercy on you this game" Dick replied.
Dick isn't allowed to be a superhero ever again if convicted.
"Barbara looked up at Dick. "Plead guilty in state court to a plea bargain brokered by the JLA to a Class C felony. With no prior record, you'd receive a sentence of forty-four months minimum sixty-two months maximum in whatever prison the state of Gotham decides to place you in. As for the reality of your situation over and above that, you would know that the JLA would be monitoring your placement the entire time to ensure you stay until released." She hesitated.
"Go on" Bruce said darkly.
"And you could never be Nightwing or any hero again."
Dick: *thwiip* "I don't like that deal" *swings up to the ceiling*
Nor do I. It means he can't even take over as Batman if something happened to Bruce.
He could become like Green Arrow in "The Nail" after that, and smash any monitor that comes on whenever Green Lantern is mentioned...
I doubt that. :lol:
And now, Tim will be forced to speak on behalf of the prosecution at Nightwing's trial.
"I'm sorry, Robin, but we can. That's why it's a subpoena. I know you don't want to testify against Nightwing. None of us like this, but if we have a trial your testimony will be crucial to the prosecution."
"Crucial how" Selina asked, taking a step closer to the duo.
Ted Kord turned to face her. "Not that I'm going to discuss our trial strategy with you, but we need him to testify about the time that Nightwing killed Joker. Shows a pattern of behavior."
Prosecution's "Archive" tape:
Joker: *squirts Nightwing with flower* Lighten up, boy blunder!
Nightwing: Oh, you're *bleep* going to regret that, bub! *snikt*
Something happened. I've never read that storyline, so I don't really know what. Nightwing killed him, then did CPR to save him. That's what I've heard anyway.
Beetle: And then, we've got some footage of him at the Grassy Knoll... and some parchments detailing some "goings on" at the Roman Senate..."
"Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?"
"DIIIEE ANCIENT DUDE!!"
"Et tu, Dick?"
Bruce: You rewrote Shakespeare's play?!
More to come! This is just where we stopped the first night.
Context Fusion Theatre presents The Fanfic "Courtmartial"
Note, we just went with the commenting on a sentence by sentence basis, so the only thing going forward was the original fic. Good thing too, or the characters would just be running around in the same scene for a long time.
Also, we don't really think John Stewart or any Green Lanterns are like this, in comics or cartoon, we're just running with the hyperbole turned up to 11... *gives Green Lanterns cookies*
Anna1: I found a great fanfic. Courtmartial. Nightwing goes to trial after Blockbuster is killed.
Batman actually acts like a normal human being. He even hugs Nightwing. Scary at first. :lol:
SeanDC: Awww :lol:
Anna1: Nightwing isn't sure how to react. :lol:
Everyone believes Nightwing killed Blockbuster, and then did it on the roof with someone. (Technically, yes. It was Tarantula, but he wasn't conscious. Babs figures out that she forced him.)
"Dick ran his hands through his hair. His fingers interlocked as his hands rested on the back of his head. "I killed him."
"I don't believe that. Look at me." Bruce's voice was firm. A deceiving calm that did not betray the raging tides of his emotions.
"Why're you here?"
"You're here. Now look at me and tell me what really happened."
"I told you! I kill--"
"Nightwing! Report!" His voice was gruff, firm, and in control."
"No report. I haven't been to school for years."
Bruce is trying to be comforting. He's not good at it. :lol:
"Bruce's arms wrapped around his son in an uncomfortable hug. This man wasn't accustomed to showing his emotions, but his heart was breaking as much as his child's was. "Never think it would be better if you died. Never. Nothing could be worse than that. Especially for me."
"I gave up on hope. Bruce, I gave up."
"Shh, shh. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but it will get better. You didn't give up. You made a mistake. You're human, you're allowed. I know this because my son told me that."
Teacher in flashback: Mistakes will not be tolerated!
For once, Bruce thinks it's ok to make a mistake.
After Babs found out about Tarantula, she sent a few people after her. Batman, Catwoman, Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress. They are furious on Dick's behalf. (The only one who knows what Tarantula did to him other than Babs, is Black Canary.)
"A few people" - love the understatement. :lol:
Yes. :D
At one point, Batman's trying to find Taratula. So he dangles a guy out a window. It doesn't work, so he tells Catwoman to hurt him as much as she wants. The poor guy is terrified when Catwoman gets her whip. :lol:
Canary: We're sending in a negotiator!
Random baddie: We'll be ready! *chk-cha!*
...
...
Where is he?
Behind him: *snikt*
Huntress: You're wrecking a lot of people's OTP!!
Huntress: And you ruined a guy's mind! Time for death! And then, you'll be torn apart by Catwoman, or used as a puching bag for Batman till the end of your days!
At one point, Tim blames himself. That's just weird.
It's the Batclan. Weird is normal.
This is true. :D And brooding is really normal. :lol:
This is a normal day in the Bat Clan. :D
Tim: *brood. brood. brood.*
Bruce: What's wrong?
Tim: Just keeping in practice. Can't get rusty with the brooding.
Bruce: I know. I haven't brooded in a week. Need a brooding buddy?
Tim: Sure.
Both: *brood ---brood--angst--pity--brood--brood.*
*sneaks into the studios producing the Batman animated series - replaces the title music with that of Angel...*
I love this part of the fanfic. Alfred tells Cassandra to stop lurking, and eat her pudding. :D
Tim looked up from the table. "Because." It was a statement. It should be enough explanation. Seeing the quizzical expression on Alfred's face, Tim continued. "If I had still been Robin, Dick would've called me. I would've had his back. This wouldn't have happened."
Alfred turned back to the counter and returned the large bowl to the refrigerator. He pulled the gallon of milk out and poured two glasses. "He could have called Master Bruce or Miss Cassandra or --"
"No he couldn't," Tim exclaimed. "Calling in Bruce would've been saying he couldn't do the job, that he couldn't handle it. And calling in Cass well ... no ... this ... he needed me. Needed me, and I failed him. Now I'm gonna lose him forever."
Alfred sat a bowl of chocolate pudding and a glass of milk before Tim. "Rubbish. This is not your fault Master Tim. Master Dick could have called in a number of people to aid him; however he is so like Master Bruce that he was determined to handle the Blockbuster situation alone. I saw him in Bludhaven after the explosion of his building. Don't be so quick to convict him either. Miss Barbara assured Master Bruce and me that this was far from a sure thing. Now eat your pudding." He turned to the counter and took the other bowl of pudding and glass of milk and sat it at the table. "Miss Cassandra, please come from the shadows and eat your pudding as well."
Alfred's turned into Homer's Brain :lol:
"Eat the pudding eat the pudding eat the pudding eat the pudding..."
I know. :D
"Tim turned to see Cassandra emerge from the inky blackness of the corner on the other side of the room. She pulled her Batgirl mask off her face and dropped it on the table as she sat across from Tim. She picked up a spoon and started eating. Looking up at Tim, she said, "He should've called me."
How do you hide in the corner of the kitchen? :lol:
It's the Bat-manor - shadows all over the place :lol: Or she could've been in the ceiling-corner, like Kurt or River would be...
"You ... you're bluffing. You just want to scare me. You wouldn't kill --"
"The rules changed. We kill now. Haven't you heard? Nightwing killed Blockbuster, so I can kill you." Batman thrust him further out the window so all of the man was hanging out the window over the street below. "If the fall doesn't kill you, I'm sure the traffic will. Nightwing tells me rush hour's murder. Where. Is. She?"
Scaring him doesn't help, since the guy doesn't know.
OK, and that's weird.
Dick broke out of his cell, so he could get something out of the JLA's fridge. He'll be back in his cell in a moment. :lol:
Nightwing sat on the coffee table in front of him. "My medical file. You think it's going to help my case?"
Wally rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms above his head. "Babs thinks it will. So she's ordered me to make a list of your injuries and look at your statement and piece a time line together of when you got each --" Wally stopped mid sentence and stared at his friend. "How'd you get out of your cell?"
Nightwing shrugged. Reaching up, he pulled his mask off and dropped it on the table beside him. "Doesn't matter." He stood up and headed for the kitchenette, "Got any Zesti?"
"In the fridge," Wally managed to sputter out. "Dick, you ... you're supposed to be ... You broke out?"
"No. I just let myself out. I'll let myself back in later when we're done."
He's playing with his captors' minds!
"Dick! You BROKE out!"
"No I didn't. Not technically. I didn't break anything ... exactly ... getting out and I'm going back later." He sipped his Zesti. "Besides, I was bored and I was thinking about my case. I don't have a comm in there so I couldn't call you or Babs, so I let myself out and checked the computer which said you were still here."
Wally looked at Dick dumbfounded. The holding cells on the Watch Tower were supposed to be impenetrable and escape proof."
Wait, the JLA is holding him?! Although, I guess it's far safer than being locked up in the Haven...
Yes. He called Superman and begged him to arrest him after Blockbuster was killed. They're holding a trial. If he's convicted, he'll be sent to a prison offworld.
And that is the exact reason why he won't be going to prison in the Haven or Gotham. And to protect Bruce's identity. (For once, he didn't care if it was revealed.)
Dick's blue eyes glared. He knew where Wally was headed and he didn't want to follow. Decisively, he changed the subject. "Did you examine my uniform when you bagged it the night I was arrested?"
"No," Wally replied shaking his head.
"Ok, that's the first thing. I think she had a tracker on me." Dick sat the empty Zesti can on the coffee table, stood and paced a small distance. "She left her brother's apartment before me. She wasn't with me when I went to meet Amy at the Nightwing signal."
"Whoa. Back up. Nightwing signal? Dude, that is just ... wrong ... on so many levels."
I was going to ask, but Wally beat me to it :lol:
I know. I had the same question in my mind. :lol: When it's released in trade paperback, I'll see if it's true. :lol:
Ouch. Babs sent Starfire after the bad guys, too. This is what she said when she was trying to interrogate someone:
"Either you tell me what I want to know or this time I won't catch you. I am NOT Nightwing and I don't have the same moral ... human ... code he does. I was born a warrior on a planet of warriors and I would just as well see you splattered into unrecognizable splatches than to see you in a cell. Do. You. Understand?"
Again with the "few people" understatement. Given all the powers even in the first part, I was thinking "Ok, we're sending someone after you..."
cut to:
"I am FIRE I am CHAOS!!..."
"I...am...Starfire!"
Dick: Hey, I thought they'd send Phoenix!
Bruce: Close enough!
Especially after she started saying things like "Mmmmmm... stars..."
Dick: Maybe she is a Phoenix. Look at the scary hair.
Bruce: *facepalm.*
Even in prison, he can't keep his foot out of his mouth :lol:
True. :D
And Batman and Catwoman found Tarantula's apartment--but she wasn't there. They found a few pictures of Nightwing on the walls. She was obsessed with him apparently.
"Batman nodded. "It would seem that this person had more training than FBI or even John Law. She had help. Money from Blockbuster for sophisticated surveillance. And training from --"
Catwoman's eyes widened. "Someone that knew how he thought and what he looked for."
Batman nodded curtly. "Either Nightwing trained her or someone he trained did." He slammed the photographs on the counter. "This is where she is. She's using his base, his equipment. She wants him or to be him."
Catwoman turned to face him. "It's a good possibility." She watched him turn and head for the balcony. She followed him as he silently shot off his jump line into the night. "Why don't you join me Catwoman? Why certainly Batman," she mocked as she cracked her whip across to the neighboring building and followed him into the ebony night."
And Nightwing finally decides to go back to his cell. :lol:
"Just be careful Roy," Dick added.
"I'm always careful."
"Oh puhlease," Wally said standing behind Dick. "You are never careful. Do I even need to remind you about that time we were fighting the Brotherhood of Evil in Boston and you --"
"OK that's enough Wally! I'll be careful! I'll be the soul of caution! Mr. Precaution signing off," Roy said with a mock salute as he closed the commuter connection between them.
Wally still stuck his tongue out at the now black monitor. "He won't be careful. He'll get himself injured just to spite us."
Dick looked up at him with a lopsided grin. "Probably. But he'll get the job done." He watched Wally nod before he stood. "Well, I better head back to my cell before the JLA realizes they're missing a prisoner."
*behind him, a slight tapping-foot-on-floor noise*
Supes: *a-hem*
Actually, it was Booster Gold and Blue Beetle.
Well, I had the right idea.
Ted Kord's mouth dropped open. "What is going on here? How did he get out?" He was pointing at Nightwing and looking accusingly at the civilian dressed Wally West. "You're helping him escape!"
Wally looked at Beetle indignantly. "I'm not helping him escape! He's not escaping! He's going back. I was just walking with him."
"How'd he get out?" The Blue Beetle asked, placing his hands on his hips.
Wally threw his arms in the air. "I dunno. He's Nightwing. He does stuff like that all the time. He always has."
"Oh, so he makes a habit of jailbreaks!"
"Blue Beetle wasn't listening. "It doesn’t matter, Booster.” Kord jerked his arm back. “It is a crime and that’s the problem. He thinks that none of the rules apply to him. Staying in his cell or not killing. That means nothing, because he’s reckless and doesn’t care. It’s all about doing what
he wants! While the rest of us struggle everyday to do the right thing. His escape is just the latest recklessness act. He doesn't care who he hurts.”
Booster rolled his eyes and leaned into the wall behind Ted, crossing his arms over his chest. He mumbled as he crossed his legs. “Yeah, well at least he’s not having a some kind of fit in the middle of the hall.”
Ted whirled back to him. “SHUT UP Booster!”
Booster shrugged. “I guess Blue Beetle is Italian for Uptight Spaz.”
Ted growled, but turned back at Dick’s voice."
"I didn't escape. I didn't leave the Watch Tower. I wasn't planning on leaving the Watch Tower," Dick interjected. It was irritating being talked about as if he was not in the room.
"You're NOT in your cell. This clearly shows what you think of rules and laws." Ted turned his fury directly at Nightwing.
"It shows I needed to talk to Wally. That's all it shows!" Nightwing said moving closer to Beetle. Nightwing was mere inches from Blue Beetle "I don't have a com link in the cell to CALL him. I don't have any way to call anyone. The have telephones in the Bludhaven jail, I don't have anything."
"You're a prisoner! YOU don't get to roam the halls. You gave up that right when you KILLED someone!"
This is either going to end with severe slappage, or clasping-in-irons.
Unfortunately, it's the latter.
I was right?! O_o
Yes, you were right. :lol:
And on the way back to his cell, Nightwing is beaten up by John Stewart (Green Lantern).
"Nightwing grimaced. The pain in his back was searing, but it was the conversation around him was maddening. Ignoring the pain, he pushed himself up, rocked back on his heels and sprung into a fighting stance. "Don't try that again."
"Or you'll do what?" Lantern yelled across the hall.
"Take that ring and make you eat it," Nightwing replied as his eyes narrowed and his voice dropped a few octaves as he spoke. Wally stood beside him ready to assist his friend however he needed to."
And shackles show up. You were completely right.
"Okay, everyone calm down," Ted said trying to get a handle on the escalating situation. He had never meant for this to go this far. "Get outta the way, Wally ... we'll escort him to where he belongs." His eyes watched Nightwing. He knew he had to be in pain from the power ring's blast, but he had obviously pushed the pain away. Nightwing was everything that the Bat was. He did not want to continue this confrontation. "Um ... we need shackles, I think. Or ... something."
And then the Green Lantern summons up an Agony Booth!
Thankfully, no. But it's close.
Agonisers then. JLA from the Mirror Universe...
Thankfully, no. :lol:
Oops. Superman showed up--and he's furious.
"ENOUGH!"
"All eyes turned to face an angry Superman as he floated a foot above the floor behind John Stewart.
Blue Beetle stammered, "Uh ... he escaped. We caught him."
Superman floated over to Nightwing and checked out his back through the rip in his costume. "That's a nasty burn. Were you escaping, Dick?
Booster Gold moved over. "He says no. I think he was on his way back."
"I was going back. I promised I'd stay and I'm staying ... all the way to the end. I just needed to talk to Wally," Nightwing replied. He grimaced slightly. The loss of adrenaline caused the pain to resurface.
Superman smiled at Nightwing and placed his hand on his shoulder. Nodding at Booster, he said softly, "Thanks."
Green Lantern then decides they're all in it together and chains them all up! In kryptonite!
He wants to. Not in Kryptonite, anyway. Blue Beetle agrees. They're in the minority.
Oh, he wants the Kryptonite. He wants to use it bad on those skels.
Probably. :lol:
"You have the right to remain SILENT!" ZAAAAPPP!!! "Anything you say ain't gonna be heard down here anyway!" *chainwhip!*
Ooh, nice. Catwoman beat up Tarantula. :D
"Tarantula righted herself during her fall, bending her knees tightly to her chest then executing a flip in the air. Hitting the ground somewhat unsteadily she managed to land on her feet. Sneering at Catwoman, she taunted, "That was a lucky shot. You won't get that lucky again."
Catwoman smirked. "I don't have to." Taking her index finger, she pointed at herself and said, "Cheese." Pointing at Tarantula, she then stated, "Rat." The pointing the same index finger straight up, Catwoman finished with, "Trap," as Batman broke through the skylight gliding down with his arms outstretched and his cape billowing behind him."
Oh, he's just doing that for effect :lol:
Yes. :D
And Batman attacked Tarantula. Catwoman just sat back and watched. :D
"Honey, give it up, it won't hurt quite as much. It will still hurt," Catwoman commentated as she watched from her perch."
*passes Catwoman some popcorn*
Good idea. She loves the show. :lol:
Instantly, Batman's hands grabbed Tarantula, flinging her off him and into the wall. Snarling, he continued his attack. He smashed her face into the wall pressing his knee into her back. "You. Will. Tell. What. You. Did. You. Will. Clear. Nightwing."
Tarantula grimaced in pain. "I won't ... lie," she moaned. "We killed Blockbuster. ... Together."
"AHHH ... wrong answer," Catwoman commented casually as she dropped down to the main floor. She knew she needed to be closer, if only to keep Batman from doing something he would later regret.
And in the middle of the fight, Superman called Batman to mention the fact that Green Lantern injured Nightwing. Batman was not happy.
Oh dear... someone's going to have some anger issues worked out on them...
Batman didn't trust himself not to kill Tarantula, so he let Catwoman finish beating her up.
Jayne will be in his bunk :lol:
And Zoe will show up to slap him.
And Batman, for encouraging him.
Yes. And Catwoman, for just being there.
And Tarantula, so she doesn't feel left out.
Yes. Zoe, Batman, and Catwoman can take turns beating her up.
And she wouldn't even work up a sweat. :lol:
Meanwhile, Nightwing and Booster bond.
"Sighing, Dick ran his hand through his hair, "I dunno. I dunno anything about anything anymore. You're right I'm not thinking clearly."
Booster smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "I've made a lifestyle of not thinking clearly. I recognize the signs. Hey, did I ever tell you how I once cured the bubonic plague?"
"Uh ... no ... you never did," Dick said with a smile.
Booster followed Dick into the common area of the secure area as the door closed behind them. "Sit down and let me tell you about it."
Greenie: Or you skels can SHUT THE *bleep* UP in there before I have to BREAK YOUR *bleeping* MOUTHS!!
Now Wonder Woman is hearing what happened--it gave her a headache. :lol:
Wonder Woman threw her hands into the air, "Stop. No bickering. Please."
She turned to Green Lantern, "Nightwing was escaping?"
"Yes," Lantern replied.
"NO!" Flash yelled. "He was not. We had been talking about the case in my quarters and we were going back to his cell."
Wonder Woman turned her attention to Flash, "So you had escorted Nightwing to your quarters to work on his case and were escorting him back?"
Flash scratched the back of his head while he looked at her. There was something about her stance that reminded him of his old fifth grade teacher at Blue Valley Elementary. "Well, uh, no ... not exactly. I was escorting him back. He had escorted himself to my room."
Lemme guess, she's in the middle of Supes and GL arguing?
Exactly.
Oh, that explanation will go down well...
It just gave Diana more of a headache, and she decided to try to figure it out later. :lol:
She decided to do something easier - like listen to an explanation of the Grey-Summers family tree.
That's probably true. :lol:
Oh, no. Batman is on the way to see Green Lantern. :D
Oh, I wouldn't want to be in his stylish yet affordable boots :lol:
"Yeah, bet Lantern could use a pint after Bats gets done with him," Plastic Man added as he picked up the cards to deal again.
Booster grinned. “Or maybe a few quarts of blood.”
"Superman called and said you were injured. What happened?"
Barbara spoke. "Your son decided he needed to speak to Wally and instead of waiting like a good little prisoner, he opened the door and walked out." She shook her head as Dick rolled his eyes and continued, "I've explained to him why that was not the smartest move he's ever made. And why he will not do it again."
Batman's jaw flexed. "How were you injured?"
Dick stood, "Lantern used his ring. Energy beam hit me in the back knocking me down. I've got a bruise on my back. That's pretty much it. It's no big deal."
"Yes. It. Is."
"No it's not."
"This is different."
"Why?"
"Because."
*hears Babs in Lynda from Press Gang's voice* :D
And later...
"Exactly," Green Lantern interjected. "That is exactly my point. We need to ensure that he is in custody, secure in his confinement, and not able to break out whenever he pleases."
"I didn't break out," Nightwing said exasperated.
"Hush. Don't say anything!" Barbara ordered. "Not another word."
Flash leaned over and whispered in Nightwing's ear, "Technically, you did." He shrugged when his friend gave him the famous Bat glare and added, "It's not like you were just in the neighborhood."
How helpful :lol:
Babs knows that whenever Dick opens his mouth, he just digs himself in deeper and deeper. :lol:
Oh, boy. Looks like Cheshire was behind Tarantula arriving in Bludhaven. The plan was just to irritate Nightwing, apparently.
Roy is not happy.
Meanwhile, I'm waiting for Green Lantern to leave the room, and Batman to attack him.
Well, he has to have time to think up something spectacularly jerktacular to say...
Very, very true.
He's all ready done a lot of that. And Batman is holding on to his anger by a thread, from what I can tell.
Lantern: I can see where that little murderer gets his temper from.
Batman: Right, that's it, it's GO TIME!!
You're about to tell me GL said that, aren't you?
Yes. :D Stewart did make a mention of something like that at one point. That was after they found him wandering the Watchtower.
The JLA also wanted someone to make restraints that Nightwing couldn't get out of.
"Wonder Woman looked around the room. "Mr. Miracle, would you please devise and prepare the restraints?"
"No."
"And Plastic -- No?" Wonder Woman said turning back to Mr. Miracle. "Pardon me, I don't think I understand."
"I said no. I will not participate in this. I am an escape artist not a jailer. I do not agree with these proceedings, I certainly do not agree with your decision to put Nightwing in shackles, and I refuse to participate." Scott Free's eyes met Dick Grayson's. He gave Dick a nod, turned and walked out of the room. Barda and Orion standing and following the true son of High Father. "
Lantern: Oh, I'll restrain him all right! *rings a bunch of metal strips into existance, a la the restraints Polaris used on Prof. Xavier at Genosha*
Babs: Dickie, if you escape again I'll roll over your feet for being bloody stupid!!
Dick: I'll be good! I'll be good!"
John Stewart: Proof the Bat Clan is full of hot heads! I vote for death!
Batman: *facepalm.*
Or:
Stewart: And then... then it'll be *my* turn, boy; and everyone had better remember who said this murdering little toerag couldn't be trusted in the first place!"
Diana and Bruce run into each other outside of the courtroom.
"Contemplation. Sometimes I ... I think too much."
Cocking her head, she smiled. "It is what you are."
"Yes. And we can't change who we are."
She sighed. "Some have."
Batman's jaw flexed. "I better go. Princess." He headed toward the door. His heavy strides on the metal floor echoing and reverberating in the room.
"No ... that ... that was uncalled for. I apologize. I should not have said --"
Batman whirled and looked at her. His face a mask of emotion, however his eyes betrayed him. "I don't want to unduly influence you Diana ... but ... just ... listen to him before you make up your mind. At least, ... give my son a chance. More of a chance in the trial than you gave him in the hearing earlier tonight."
Diana called Hephaestus to forge chains to hold Nightwing. That'll fix any attempts to get out.
The writer is, I take it, a Bruce/Selina shipper then.
Apparently, since Bruce and Selina were fighting together. :lol:
Well, that too. Just this would be a pretty big roadbump in a Bruce/Diana ship...
Very true. :lol:
And Selina, Starfire, and Huntress caught Tarantula. They brought her to the Watchtower--Dick saw her and had a panic attack.
Green Lantern: *sees this* Oo-hoo! Lock her in the cell facing the little scrote's! Heh heh heh.
Actually, she's just in a holding area for the moment--which is near Dick's cell.
"Aren't you," Booster shook his hand pointing toward her, "Catwoman?"
"Yes," she purred.
He scratched his head and looked at Plastic Man. "I'm confused. I thought Catwoman was a villain. Why's she on the Watch Tower and who let her in?"
"She came with me," Starfire replied. "She works with Batman."
"Smart cookie, this red head," Catwoman added. "Works with ... not FOR ... Batman. There's a big difference there."
Starfire's green eyes seemed to glow. "Let me see Nightwing."
"I'm not sure if he's supposed to have visitors," Plastic Man started. "Until he's restrained."
"I was not asking."
Plastic Man entered the code to open the cell door and allow Starfire entrance. Quickly he closed the door and moved to a table in the center of the room. "I don't know who's worse, her or Batman."
Lantern: *Me*, sunshine. My my, letting him have visitors. Aiding and abetting, I think!" ZAP!!
And this author is definitely for Bruce/Selina.
"Each current active member has a personalized suite," she said as if giving a tour as they walked.
"Can't wait to see the bats in his room."
A smile cracked on Huntress's face. "You think that's what he put up?"
"Probably hasn't personalized it at all, if I know him. He would consider it a waste of his time."
"You know him very well don't you?" Huntress asked.
"Yes, as well as anyone I suppose," Catwoman replied, memories coming unbidden to her mind."
...
"We are gonna to do nothing. You are going to return to Gotham." He crossed the distance between them, looked into her green eyes, turned on his heels and headed toward the kitchenette.
"Not so fast buster. You aren't dismissing me like this."
"I'm not dismissing you Selina, I just ..." he turned and walked past her handing her a cola as he passed. "You don't need to involve yourself in this."
"I am already involved." She sat the drink on the counter and followed him to the black leather sofa and sat beside him, her hand coming to rest on his thigh. "This involves Dick and you and that means it involves me. Like it or not. Whatever you are planning, you better plan on three rather than two."
"Selina,"
"No. Don't you 'Selina' me, Bruce Wayne. Besides, I have more experience in being on the lam from superheroes than you do." He turned the infamous Bat glare on her. She smiled. "Don't try that glare with me. It's never worked. Honestly, I don't see why it ever worked with anyone else either. I know exactly what you have on your mind and I intend to help you. Get used to it."
She's perfect for him :lol:
I know. They think alike. :D
And she mustve been spending time with Alfred and Babs, in the past. To build up resistance to the bat-glare :D
I don't see it working on either of them, so they're the logical people to learn how from :D
And the restraints they used are not good for Nightwing. They'll cause him to be electrocuted.
"As soon both feet left the confines of the cell, his arms pulled together. Chains appeared connecting the shackles, snaking around his waist and heading in a Y shape to the chains that connected the manacles around his ankles. His eyes followed the chains and he noticed that the fetters had appeared overtop his boots. Scowling, he looked up at Wonder Woman.
"I am sorry, Nightwing, you gave us no choice. When you are in your cell, that conference room," she said pointing to the meeting area contained within the secure area of the Watch Tower, "and in the Hall of Justice, the chains will not be evident. Only when you are elsewhere in the Tower will they be present. That is because anywhere else in the Tower is off limits to you."
"Fine," he growled.
"I need to warn you Nightwing," Diana continued. "Those chains could hold Superman. Further, any attempts to tamper with the cuffs will result in a painful experience to you."
"What do you mean painful?" Kory asked, angrily.
"The restraints also contain the power of Zeus' thunderbolt. Any tampering will result in excruciating pain as you are struck with the thunderbolt. Painful, but not lethal, unless it is continuously used in a short period."
*watches GL hook up more juice*
He hasn't been told yet. :lol:
So, technically, if he thinks about escaping he'll be struck by lightning.
Mostly, he's busy having a breakdown at the moment. He's finally left alone and is busy destroying the cell after seeing Tarantula.
Lantern: Look, 'e's smashing the cell apart! Sedate him! Seda... oh yeah, I can do it..." *ZAAAAPPPP!!"
Batman: Stop that!
Lantern: NO!!!!
Batman: *Tosses him around, steals the ring.*
Superman: The Earth is doomed.
Batman: Why?
Superman: Because you have the ring.
Batman: The ring you see before you die in 7 days?!
Superman: Wrong ring--but close knowing our luck.
"Don't be so sure," Wally interjected. "You weren't at the hearing yesterday."
Roy ran his hand through his hair and turned toward Wally, a puzzled expression on his face. "What hearing?"
"The one we lost."
"Lost? What?"
Wally tossed a can of Zesti towards Roy. "Tell me you have good news. Tell me Cheshire and Tarantula planned everything to maneuver Dick into that stairwell and they were using a drug to control him which prevented him from stopping Tarantula from murdering Blockbuster."
Roy looked at his friends, then down at the Zesti. A sigh moved into his throat, but he refused to exhale. He shook his head and tossed the Zesti back at his friend. "I need a beer instead."
Now a few Teen Titans are planning to break Dick out of prison.
“What are you doing?” Garth asked standing.
“What Nightwing taught us. Planning. It’s time to get serious. In or out Garth?” Roy asked again.
Garth smiled and moved over, “Leave you two to plan? We’ll be living on the run eating can cheese.”
Wally shook his head. “Hey no dissing of the miracle food of can cheese.”
*Green Lantern sets up big nets for Titans*
No, he doesn't know. :lol:
Forward planning, just in case :lol:
Unfortunately, during the trial what Tarantula did to Nightwing will come up.
"So we tell them ... everything?"
"Yes."
Dick's jaw flexed. "Is there any way we can keep out --"
"No." Barbara sighed and looked down. She pulled a legal pad closer, grabbed a pen, and began to scribble to avoid his gaze. "We pull them in ... make them live what you lived, feel what you felt. We do it so that they understand. So that they get inside your head."
"You think understanding will help?" he asked her.
"Yes. It will. The prosecution has to prove intent. That you intended for Tarantula to kill Blockbuster."
Lantern: He did! He planned it! I have his confession! *rings crayon-on-cocktail-napkin note into existance*
Oh, no. Jean Loring for the prosecution. (Pre Identity Crisis.)
Apparently, Bruce is going to live on the Watchtower until the whole thing with Nightwing is over. Alfred's going to be lonely.
Wild butler parties ahoy! :lol:
Yes. :D More food for Tim and Cass. :lol:
Incredibly, Bruce decided to wear normal clothes on the Watchtower.
Normal for who?
Normal for regular people. He's not wearing his costume, he's wearing a normal suit, tie, and pants.
*Bruce wanders around dressed as Exiles!Sabretooth*
*Plastic Man joins the gag by morphing into... well, Morph*
Superman: *sees strange costume.*
Batman: What? I thought I'd dress up for the trial.
Superman: This will not help Dick's case.
Batman: Maybe it can prove that all the Bat Clan is crazy?
Superman: We all ready knew that.
Well, it could be worse. He could dress up as Namora instead :lol:
That would be scary. And Superman would have him thrown in Arkham. :lol:
"It's spiraled out of control," Bruce finished, finally turning his gaze from the blue and white orb to his friend.
"Yes," Clark said, frustration emanating from every fiber of his being.
"So you expected the goody-goody's to just pat him on the wrist, say bad Nightwing, sit in the corner before you go home?" a new voice questioned.
Clark spun and watched Selina Kyle emerge from the kitchen, a martini glass in her hand. "You're Catwoman."
She smiled wickedly, tilted her head in Bruce's direction, and said, "He's quick. You should make him an honorary detective."
Bruce rolled his eyes slightly as he moved to join her at the sofa. "Selina is staying with me for the duration of the trial." He sat, taking her hand in his. She curled herself into his body and smiled up at Clark, before gesturing for him to have a seat."
Clark gladly took the seat and looked at the scene before him. If one did not know better, they seemed a perfect example of domestic bliss. The Bat and the Cat. The world was definitely topsy-turvy. "I honestly don't know what I was thinking. I was trying to protect ... Nightwing."
Selina took a sip of her martini as a feral smile crossed her soft features. "Dick," she winked at him.
Clark raised an eyebrow and nodded as Bruce spoke. "The Justice League is supposed to stand for justice and you were trying to help everyone involved ... especially Dick."
"How's Lois? Anyone toss her off a building lately?" Selina said, giving a wicked grin.
Clark’s mouth fell open and he gaped out her. "Ms. Lane is fine."
Selina sipped her drink. "Really? Good to know. You know, if I was married to a superhero, I'd at least take his last name," she rested her head on Bruce's arm and gazed up at him. A slight laugh escaped her lips as his body fidgeted beneath her.
“You ...” He turned to Bruce. “You told her?”
Selina cocked her head, “You know you look a bit like a fish gasping for air when you do that.”
Bruce shook his head, “Not really. She heard me call you Clark, she knows that Superman and Lois Lane are close and Clark Kent and Lois Lane are married. She’s an honorary detective too.”
Selina grinned, “You pick up a thing or two playing cat and mouse with the bat in Gotham.”
Bruce looked over. “I always caught you.”
Selina purred, “I always let you."
Clark smiled. “Lois will love this side of you. We all have to have dinner when this is over.”
“No.” Bruce shook his head, but it was simultaneously countered with Selina’s, “YES!”
Clark grinned.
And the author is definitely for Bat/Cat. :D
Ya think? :D
Yes. :lol:
And I love the fact that it's a tradition to throw Lois off a building. :lol:
If Megoville/Twisted Toyfare Theatre ever included DC Megos, they could have her thrown off (yet another) Baxter Building as it's launched into space (like all the others) :lol:
True. :D
Batman: Selina? It's time to throw Lois again.
Selina: Yay!
Lois: *halfheartedly* Help. Superman. Please...help.
Clark: *catches her.* Not much urgency in that call.
Lois: It's a monthly thing. I'm used to it.
Clark: Who threw you this time?
Lois: Batman and Catwoman.
Clark: Again? How many times this year?
Lois: 50...but who's counting?
Clark: Monthly? I thought weekly.
Lois: You're right. Forgot the last couple times.
Tim and Dick are playing card games to stop the boredom.
Dick shrugged. "It was a thought. And there was a connection." He shrugged again before changing the conversation. It was enjoyable to not discuss his case or situation, if just for an afternoon. "So, you like being Oracle Jr"
"Yeah. It's better than just sitting at home all night being 'normal'" Tim replied using his fingers to make air quotes when he said the word normal. "I'd rather be Robin but, it's doing something."
"Hmm" Dick pretended to muse. "We need a new name for you. Something spiffy." Snapping his fingers, Dick paced back and forth in front of the bunk. "Ooooo, I got it ... CyberBoy ... CompHero ... DigitalDude ... DigitalDork"
Tim stuck his tongue out, made a loud, obnoxious noise as he gave Dick the raspberry. "Why don't you leave the attempts at humor to me? I can actually accomplish it."
Stewart: Look! He thinks he's Gambit! Stop him! Stop... oh yeah, I can do it...
*rings up a giant vaccuum to steal all the cards. zaps both Dick and Tim as an afterthought*
It was let them do that, or have him die from boredom before the trial. :lol:
"Excuse me? You do realize you are talking to the king of puns"
"Exactly. That's why I said leave the humor to me." Tim smiled proudly.
Dick grinned back. "Okay, fine. Leave the noogies to me." He reached for Tim who tried to jump out of the way. Tim was unsuccessful and Dick grabbed him and started boring his balled fist into the boy's wavy black hair. "Say Dick rules! Say it" he called as the uncommon sound of laughter echoed in the cell.
Dick: Say Dick rules!
Tim: I can't! Oracle will kill me!
"Never" Tim yelled before melting into a fit of laughter. "Okay, okay, Dick rules " Dick grined and sat back down taking the dice in his hands. Tim stuck his tongue out at him"- the toilet! Dick rules the toilet"
"I'm having no mercy on you this game" Dick replied.
Dick isn't allowed to be a superhero ever again if convicted.
"Barbara looked up at Dick. "Plead guilty in state court to a plea bargain brokered by the JLA to a Class C felony. With no prior record, you'd receive a sentence of forty-four months minimum sixty-two months maximum in whatever prison the state of Gotham decides to place you in. As for the reality of your situation over and above that, you would know that the JLA would be monitoring your placement the entire time to ensure you stay until released." She hesitated.
"Go on" Bruce said darkly.
"And you could never be Nightwing or any hero again."
Dick: *thwiip* "I don't like that deal" *swings up to the ceiling*
Nor do I. It means he can't even take over as Batman if something happened to Bruce.
He could become like Green Arrow in "The Nail" after that, and smash any monitor that comes on whenever Green Lantern is mentioned...
I doubt that. :lol:
And now, Tim will be forced to speak on behalf of the prosecution at Nightwing's trial.
"I'm sorry, Robin, but we can. That's why it's a subpoena. I know you don't want to testify against Nightwing. None of us like this, but if we have a trial your testimony will be crucial to the prosecution."
"Crucial how" Selina asked, taking a step closer to the duo.
Ted Kord turned to face her. "Not that I'm going to discuss our trial strategy with you, but we need him to testify about the time that Nightwing killed Joker. Shows a pattern of behavior."
Prosecution's "Archive" tape:
Joker: *squirts Nightwing with flower* Lighten up, boy blunder!
Nightwing: Oh, you're *bleep* going to regret that, bub! *snikt*
Something happened. I've never read that storyline, so I don't really know what. Nightwing killed him, then did CPR to save him. That's what I've heard anyway.
Beetle: And then, we've got some footage of him at the Grassy Knoll... and some parchments detailing some "goings on" at the Roman Senate..."
"Doth not Brutus bootless kneel?"
"DIIIEE ANCIENT DUDE!!"
"Et tu, Dick?"
Bruce: You rewrote Shakespeare's play?!
More to come! This is just where we stopped the first night.
