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seandcAnd again, running commentary and watching the characters go nuts...
Context Fusion Theatre - 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.
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*
In that fanfic? Court went wild, Robin went on the stand. Blue Beetle almost made him cry. Then, he punched out Beetle. :D
That'll teach him to make him cry :lol:
Yes. :D And because of that, Superman, Arsenal, Nightwing, and Batman were moving in to kill Stewart. :D Because he tried to grab Robin.
*blink* Wait, *Tim* punched him out? Teddy in for a whole world o' trouble when he wakes up... ;)
Yes, Tim. :D No, they sent Tim home. It was safer than being in court. :lol:
It'd be safer for Ted if he went into hiding... he made Tim cry. Once Cass finds out....
Very true. But better news is Oracle rolled over Beetle's foot. :D
And aiders and abetters, the lot of them! :lol:
Yes. :lol:
What, really? As in the way we write her?
Yes. :D She pretended it was an accident. :lol:
Yay! :D
And during Robin's questioning, he couldn't help but tell the truth. The lasso was around him.
Beetle nodded, “Yes. You weren’t there to physically stop him, but wasn’t it the same that he was upset, angry and was striking out at someone he believed had killed or hurt those he cared for?”
"No. I mean I wasn’t there, but from what I heard Rage wasn’t there either, so I don’t think it was similar.”
Ted’s composure faltered and he stopped, confused by what Robin had said. "What?"
"Rage is a meta who heightens anger to a artifically high level. Overwhelming berserker rage ... he was in the church the night the Joker provided "proof" that he had killed me. He was affecting Nightwing that night so that Nightwing could not stop himself until after Rage transported out of the church."
Jean looked up and over at her opposition's table. She caught the slight smile that had crept onto Barbara Gordon's face. They both knew Ted was being led into a trap ... into the dreaded "one too many" question. Before she could stop him, he voiced his question and she just shook her head and braced for the answer.
"Are you now, or have you ever been... a META?!"
Oh, and Starfire went on the stand. She barely resisted incinerating Beetle and Stewart. But she did blow a huge hole in the Watchtower. :lol:
Isn't the watchtower outside, like... space?
Yes. They had to fix it quickly, or they'd die. The part she blew up was fixed, and blocked from the rest of the Watchtower, so nobody would die.
Except they didn't actually die... except nobody found out for 78 years...
"Kory," a voice in a normal, low conversational tone spoke firmly without anger or inflection from behind Beetle. It was simply spoken and its lack of urgency, but certain quiet authority caught Beetle’s attention.
The fierce warrior turned toward the sound of her name coming from her former lover, leader and friend. Nightwing gave a slight shake of his head. Taking a deep breath, she strode off the platform and down the center aisle. Intentionally, she bowled into Blue Beetle knocking him back onto the prosecution table and stormed from the room.
Before the doors leaving the Hall of Justice slid closed, they heard the sounds of starbolts shooting through the corridor. Warning sirens flared and a mechanical voice detailed the hull breach in sector fourteen-d. It detailed the safety precautions of the WatchTower -- how the forcefield was containing the breach.
Seconds that seemed like minutes ticked by as the occupants of the Hall of Justice stood seemingly immobilized by some unseen force. Barbara tapped her fingers on the wooden table, looked up at the Tribunal, and said, "I have no questions."
"Someone is going to have to pay to repair the damages she just caused to the WatchTower," Green Lantern said sternly.
"Send me the bill," Batman flippantly replied. Robin, sitting between Batman and Catwoman, beamed a smile toward the prosecution.
Captain Marvel cleared his throat. "Well, yes, I, um, now would be a good time for lunch. We'll resume in ninety minutes."
Nightwing walked back to the defense table and propped against it supporting himself on his arms. A loud sigh escaped his lips.
Flash looked at Oracle and then at Nightwing. "Dude, you really go for the volitile women." He started to grin but instead let out a loud "Oww!" when Barbara hit him on the head with her legal pad.
Should've been sector 15 ;)
Hopefully that would be Stewart's quarters. Rather than anyone else's. :D
Silly Wally!
Right, but silly :lol:
"Someone's gonna have to pay for that!"
"We're in space. No money!"
"No money? That means we don't get paid!"
Cap: Now would be a good time for lunch... except... the kitchen just got spaced....
Dick and Wally: NOOOOOO!!!
Bruce: How could you, Kory?! Wally's always hungry--so is Dick!
John: Don't worry, I can make lunch! *rings up some food*
*people start tasting hestantly*
Random: Hey, what is this?
John: Soylent green!
Dick: OK...who am I eating?
Stewart: Wally.
Dick: Kill him, Arsenal! *The Batclan and Outsiders attack.*
"So, with your relationships with your family, Batman and your team strained; after being tortured and being the cause of the death of two of your teammates; being stranded with no way to come home; in a most desperate situation, you did not freeze? You did not kill? But Nightwing with far more training just could not bring himself to save Blockbuster."
"Objection!" Barbara yelled. Her angry fist slammed into the table causing books to topple and files to shift.
Robin, however, was not listening. He was glowering at Blue Beetle, his face flushed from heat. "Yes Ted, I am incompetent. I couldn't lead my team, two of them "died"...sorta, and even if I coulda got our ship working again--I knew I would be coming home to a father who thought I was a criminal at the very least and Batman who I thought didn't want me around. Thanks for reminding me...of course, I didn't have to watch someone systematically destroy my life and threaten everyone I ever cared about. If I had had the power to kill Darkseid I might have...happy?"
Lantern: He admits it! They're all killers!!
Robin stared at the golden lasso surrounding his wrist. His fingers tried, unsuccessfully, to pull the rope from his arm. "I'm done. I wanna go."
Blue Beetle waved his hands in front of him. "Oh no. We're not done."
"Yes, we are done!" Robin spat.
"No. Who else did Nightwing kill?"
"Objection!" Oracle shouted. "Nightwing has not killed anyone."
"Sustained," Captain Marvel replied.
"I'll rephrase. Robin, please tell the Court who you were referring to." Beetle stood between the prosecution and defense tables watching the boy.
"I ... no ... I ..." He tugged the lasso again. Instead of coming off, the magical object seemed to tighten around his wrist compelling him to answer. "Judge ... Judge Watkins. Lawrence Watkins."
"How did Nightwing cause Judge Watkins death?"
Robin turned pleading eyes to Nightwing. "This is between Dick and me, Ted. Don't make me --"
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Nightwing's voice held a deadly edge as he shouted at the prosecutor. When all eyes fell upon him, Nightwing was standing, glaring at Beetle, seemingly ready to strike. He started around Barbara, his eyes now fixed on his younger brother. "This has nothing to do with this!"
"He has to answer," Beetle said to Nightwing.
"He doesn't HAVE to do anything," Nightwing growled as he fiercely whirled on Blue Beetle.
Beetle backed up and into Green Lantern who was also advancing around his table. "Um ... Security," Beetle said looking at Booster who was sitting there watching.
"What?" Booster asked pointing at himself. "Me?" He saw Captain Atom advancing from the back of the room and pointed, shouting to Blue Beetle, "He'll take care of it, Ted. I'm just gonna watch."
Stewart: He killed a Judge! A Judge should decide his fate! *rings up a portal, Judge Dredd comes through*
Dredd: What in the dro... Batman?
Stewart: You! Judge Dredd! That young spug killed a Judge! What say you to his sentence?!"
Judge Dredd: I hate this. Innocent! I know Batman!
Stewart: *facepalm.*
Judge Dredd: Can I go home now?
Stewart: Sure.
Batman: *Smirks.*
"It wasn't...like that," Robin said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Tell us what it was Robin?" Wonder Woman's soft voice soothed.
"Dick was Robin then. He was nine...Two-Face had captured Batman and Judge Watkins. Dick had to choose who died first, scarred or unscarred side of the coin. Batman tried to warn him, but Dick thought that if he could keep Two-Face going or maybe even win, Batman would have time to save them all. But ... he didn't know...didn't understand Two-Face then. He didn’t know that you can’t play the game. Dick’s choice made the judge’s death first. He baited Two-Face into a second coin toss, to try and stop him from killing the judge. He won the toss, but although Two-Face honored his bet. He didn’t hang the judge, he drowned him. If he hadn’t played the game, Two-Face woulda focused on Batman or him. He wouldn’t have killed the Judge. But he didn’t know…He's always blamed himself for that. But it wasn't his fault." Robin looked back up, his eyes glaring at Blue Beetle. "And what happened with Blockbuster...that wasn't his fault either. Oh he blames himself just like he blames himself for Judge Watkins' death, because that's the type of guy he is, but it wasn't his fault!"
"Well that's for the Tribunal to decide," Stewart sniped from the table.
"Oh objection," Flash yelled.
"You aren't part of this examination," Stewart parroted Oracle's words to Flash.
"Neither are you, but I can be part of something if you want it," Flash retorted. He didn't need eyes in the back of his head to know there was a mile-wide grin crossing Roy Harper's face. The audible "Woo" from the back told him all he needed to know.
John: Quiet you! *ZAAAP!!*
Babs: You so don't get my voice right, Green Loser!
Robin's hand easily escaped the lasso that had been binding him before. The boy almost jumped down from the witness chair. He kept his eyes on his brother as he headed over to his seat beside of Batman.
Blue Beetle whispered, "I'm sorry Tim," as Robin walked by. He started to look down, but was caught in the nose by a green gloved fist smashing into his face. Blood spurted. Gasps emitted from the audience, drowned out by Arsenal's "OH YEAH!"
"Shub up Roy!" Ollie screamed from his seat at the Tribunal table.
Nightwing and Batman seemed to have materialized at Robin's side. Stewart stood screaming for security.
"You brobe my nobe," Beetle said clutching his face.
Booster placed a comforting hand on Beetle's shoulder. "He sure did. That was a great right hook. You shoulda seen it."
Robin's whole body was jerking as a mixture of emotions raged over him. He turned from the bloody scene of Ted Kord's face and wrapped his arms around the man who was his brother. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Shh, shh, you're good. It's good," Nightwing soothed softly.
Jean Lorring elbowed Green Lantern, her head tilting toward the bench where all members of the Tribunal watched the tender moment between brothers. Lantern knew he had to remind the Tribunal of what had happened immediately before. "That was an assault!" Stewart began his outcry. "I demand--" He grabbed at Robin's cape but before he connected, Nightwing's gauntleted hand shoved him backwards.
"You don't demand anything," Batman interrupted stepping between the Green Lantern and his boys. His voice was low but the message it conveyed was quiet clear.
Lantern: I DO DEMAND, you PUTZ!! He assaulted an officer of the court in front of the entire panel, and I. WILL. MAKE. HIM. PAY!!! *ZAAAAAAAAAP!!!*
Captain Marvel breaks a table trying to get Stewart to be quiet. :D
"But what about assault charges --"
"What part of 'not another word' do you not understand, Lantern?" Captain Marvel asked rhetorically as he stood to his full height. The hands of the World's Mightest Mortal slamming into the already fractured table causing the wood to buckle and the table to cave in. Sighing, Marvel looked to Plastic Man. "Please get us a new table. We're adjourned for the day."
Marvel: *crack!* Now will you be quiet?
Lantern: *blink*"...
...
You are a very odd person.
He breaks another table later on, too. :lol:
Hmmm... *comes up with theory...*
Beetle isn't really a bad guy. He goes to joke around with Babs once they take a recess. It's Stewart who's horrible. *Wonders what the theory is.*
Marvel = Tick :D
This is true--that's how he normally acts. :D
SPOON!! :D
Tick, with the Wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Atlas, etc...
And he (Marvel) doesn't want no dissention / just dy-nam-ic tension....
Rachel/Anna: He's not that horrible
Robin: You coulda fooled me. And I used to look up to him, too...
That's basically what he says later. Robin, I mean.
Ted shrugged. "I'll heal. What about Tim?" He leaned against the examination table.
Barbara shrugged back. "I hope he'll heal."
"Yeah, emotional wounds aren't as easy to repair as my nose." He grinned slightly before a sigh escaped his lips. "I'm really sorry Barbara. I don't know why I did it. I think my brain had a Booster moment."
Barbara laughed. "Oh Ted, warn me before you say something like that."
Babs: Does that mean your brain swaps with Booster's at those times?
Ted: We can only hope!
That would be scary, too. Beetle acting stupid, Booster acting smart. :D
I'm not sure if anyone would really pay attention and notice, though...
Random person: *blink* *blink* I'm going back to bed...
Probably what would happen, too. :lol:
Roy stopped dead in his tracks and glared at Wally. "I am going in. No one is stopping me. You got that. I'm seeing Dick. Besides it wasn't the whole Tribunal that said he couldn't have visitors, it was just Marvel. Well Ollie can counter his vote and he'd let me in."
"Ollie would hit you in the head with a stick. He probably has an arrow called Roy just to use for you. Shoot it at you and it envelopes your head in a soundproof bubble."
An incredulous look fell upon Roy's face as he rolled his eyes. "Shut up and let's go see the Boss."
Roy: We're here to see...
*thwip* *bubble!*
"According to Oracle, counsel is not just the attorneys or acting attorneys but their staff. Roy's...staff."
"Staff?" Captain Atom asked incredulously.
"Yeah he's..." Flash zipped around Captain Atom, grabbed the score pad Plastic Man and Booster had been using and zagged back between Atom and Arsenal slapping the pad into Arsenal's chest, "my secretary."
Cocking his head to the side, Captain Atom gave the duo a "Yeah, ri-ight" look as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"The tribunal said only counsel and witnesses --"
"I'm a witness!" Roy bellowed. "We're gonna go work on my witnesseyness."
Wally smiled broadly. "He does have you there. Roy gets to go in. Open 'er up."
With a defeated and exhasperated sigh, Captain Atom punched in the code to the key pad by the door and watched the heavy door slide open. Arsenal followed Flash into the small cell stopping for a moment to pat Captain Atom on the arm as he passed. "His secretary. I'm gonna sit on his lap and everything."
Nightwing heard the secretary comment--he isn't sure if he wants to know or not. :lol:
Babs: I'm going to end up *owning* Playgirl by the end of this...
"How's Tim?" Dick asked. He drew his other leg up on the bunk and hooked his arm around it.
"He's okay," Roy said leaning back on the table resting on his elbows. "Batman and Catwoman took him back to Gotham. Not sure if he'll be up here for anymore of the trial."
"That might be a good thing," Dick sighed. "I want them to leave him alone. If they want to come after me that's okay, but they need to leave my family alone."
"I think Batman's going to make sure that they can't call Robin or Batgirl. I don't think anyone will be able to find them," Wally said as he leaned back against the wall. "Stewart was going on and on about bringing assault charges against Tim."
"Which shows what a colossal jerk he is," Roy said propping his legs on the bunk in front of him. "Tim had every right to hit Ted. Hell, I had a right to hit Ted out of general principal and was heading down there to do just that."
Wally: Y'know, I think they should call Batgirl up!
Roy: Why, she wasn't there.
Wally: Yeah, but when Stewart goes to far... no power in the 'verse can save him!
Stewart: *rambles on and on.*
Batgirl: *silent.*
Stewart: *Blah blah...Tim was stupid...blah blah....insults* Speak up!
Batgirl: *Batglare.*
Batman: Finally, something good is going to happen.
Batgirl: *Beats him up before he can get to the ring.*
And Captain Marvel tries to get order in the court. :D
"Marvel folded his hands and laid them on the table. "Ladies and Gentlemen the drama portion of this trial is over. You people have run amok and it stops now. I may not know what a real court is like, but I am very sure that badgering a sixteen year old to the brink of tears would not be accepted, badgering a sixteen year old to the point of physical violence is not acceptable here."
The Batclan weren't the only ones about to attack Blue Beetle. :D
"I know there is maneuvering, I know there is legal jockeying, but all of that takes a backseat to the fact that every single person in that courtroom is someone we know. MOST are our friends. Today, Beetle, you used things told to you in confidence, and then badgered a hero to the point that I am quite sure that it was soon going to be a race to see who tore you into pieces first - Batman, Nightwing, Robin... or how about Superman and Arsenal who were both moving in."
Barbara's head jerks up, confusion on her face. She looked at Ted and saw his eyes were wide with confusion as well. She looked to Wally who shrugged and mouthed to her "I'll tell you later."
Beetle needs to go buy a lotto ticket, for he got so very very lucky...
Meanwhile, GL mutters yes it is... yes, it's acceptable...
All those people were trying to protect Tim. He's the youngest in the Batclan, and Batman will not let anything happen to him. :D
"We weren't the only one's who were out of line in that courtroom," Stewart said. "I want to know what charges are going to be brought against Robin for attacking Blue Beetle?"
"No charges," Ted interrupted. "No one is doing anything else to Robin. I...I've done enough. I want him left alone."
"Fine. But what about Nightwing? He assaulted me," Green Lantern started.
"Now wait a minute!" Wally yelled standing up. "That wasn't an assault. He was just keeping you away from Robin."
Later...
"ENOUGH!" Captain Marvel slammed a book down on the table causing the table to crack under the force. Both Prosecution and Defense teams jumped at the noise.
Green Arrow leaned over to J'onn, "That's two tables today. He's on a roll."
Green Arrow: He must have stock in the local IKEA...
And if he doesn't, he needs to buy some. He'll cause it to go up, buying a new table every day. :D
"Nightwing has not been proven guilty yet and until that point, he is the accused. Do you not understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty Stewart?"
Stewart blustered. "I'm prose --"
"NO! You're not. You're persecuting. There's a difference."
"Let me expla --" Stewart started.
"No. What about chambers and judge do you NOT get? Forget Nightwing's reputation at this point, he's done a real good job on it without the prosecutions help. But now we've moved on to Robin, Batman. Who is next Superman?"
And a little later....
"I'm sorry Cap, that you feel --" Green Lantern started.
Marvel clenched his fists but did not turn around. "Lantern, I may be blessed with gifts from the gods -- but you ... you've just managed to get on my last nerve. If you say anything else, you'll ruin everything you accomplished with your case. Get. Out."
Lantern: It's not enough - I'm not going to be satisfied until they're ALL charged!
Marvel: Then want will be your master.
Lantern: Master THIS!! *ZAAAAP!!*
Batman will probably be watching him for quite a while, to make sure he stays away from Robin. :D
Lantern: Superman? Superman would be good! Aider and abetter from way back, and not even human!!"
And Batman would probably try to protect him, too. :D At this point, they're still best friends.
Mysterious package: To Robin - some green candy, from - A Friend... ;)
Robin would probably blow it up to make sure it wasn't from The Joker. :D
Mysterious Package: Return to Sender...a little singed.
Joker: *pouts* Stupid Green Lantern, getting in the way of all of *my* little games for dear ol' boy blunder....
Barbara smiled and hugged Wally, "You don't mind if I borrow you from Dick as a friend occasionally, do you?"
"I'd be honored," he replied. Wally then scratched his head, "Only...did we just get bitch slapped by Captain Marvel?"
"Yes."
"He's really getting the hang of this judge thing. Who knows, he may go to law school when he grows up." Barbara laughed out loud at this and Wally joined her. "Well...if we got bitched slapped...Lantern and Beetle just got the enema of justice cleaning out."
"I like that visual." Barbara smiled a bit then sighed as reality crept back in.
Meanwhile:
Billy: Hey, look at this! I've got a letter from a law firm, offering me a place in their advanced work placement program! Anyone ever hear of this "Wolfram and Hart"?....
Superman: *Shreds and burns it.*
Billy: Aww.
Superman: It's evil. Captain Marvel can't do that. Hey, John?
Stewart: Yes? Of course I'll join them! MWAhahahahaha!
"So we do put Dick on the stand?"
"We don't have a choice. We have to. And we have to hope that Dick's subconscious is more understanding of his actions than his conscious mind is."
Does that mean they're going to hypnotize him? That would be interesting.
Dick's Subconscious: *with maracas* "I am Evil Nightwing! I am Evil Nightwing!"
Stewart: OK...anyone want to take away the maracas?
Superman: Not me! They're Kryptonite Maracas!
Batman: *watches Dick's subconscious do the mambo, and a waltz.* My son--the crazy person. Can't wait to tell Tim about this. *finds a camera.*
Babs: Way ahead of you, Batboss!
Nightwing: Shake your Bon Bon! Shake your Bon Bon! Shake your Bon Bon!
Babs: He thinks he's Ricky Martin!
Batman: *Films* Ohh, more blackmail...
Superman: *stares*
Stewart: *blink*
Captain Marvel: *watching* Uh...order...*sees Nightwing do a handstand.* Ahem. Order in the court! This isn't a circus!
Nightwing: *does a cartwheel.*
Captain Marvel: Even if it does seem like one...
Nightwing: *teleports*
Batman: Someone want to wake him up? He can't teleport when he's normal!
Stewart: O...kay....
Superman: *wakes him.*
Nightwing: Why am I holding maracas? And...why am I wearing a hula dress?
Babs: No idea honey *acts innocent while winking to the side*
Batman: As you can see, Captain Marvel, every member of the Bat Clan has an insane subconscious.
Superman: He's not kidding!
Babs: HEY! I don't!
Bruce: Oh no? *hypnotises Babs*
Babs' Subconscious: o/"....I've been making shows of trading blows just hoping no one knows...
Superman: It would be better if we hypnotized you, Bruce.
Bruce: *wakes up Babs.* Ok.
Superman: *Hypnotizes him.*
Bruce: I am fire and life incarnate...I...AM...PHOENIX!!!!
Superman: See?
Flash looked at her with wide eyes, “You mean, they wanted to rip someone apart so Dick would lose it? So the tribunal would see him as unable to control himself?”
“Yes. Of course, they needed someone to rip apart that wouldn’t maim them. They couldn’t use Batman that would have been...bad. They tried Kory and then settled on Tim. At least, he punched Ted for his trouble. Unfortunately, it was too late Dick had already gone stupid.” Barbara pinched the bridge of her nose. "So help me, if that best friend of yours acts up one more time I am going to taser him in the courtroom."
"Nah, you're not going to do that."
"I'm not?" Barbara asked with an incredulous look on her face as she stared across at him.
"Nope. You're not gonna have a chance to taser my best friend because I swear if he jumps up I'm gonna clock him."
Barbara laughed and reached across the table taking his hand in hers. "I do think I love you."
"Sorry, I'm married," he said with a wink.
The prosecution called Alfred to the witness stand. Oh, no. Stewart is a dead man. If Alfred doesn't kill him, Batman will. Oh, good. It was the defense, not the prosecution. :D
Alfred: You? You tried to SPACE MY BISCUITS?!
Wally: Oh, Alfred's mad!
Alfred: Not mad, Master Wally. Merely... miffed. You have yet to see "mad".
Bruce: This is true. Mad is scary with him.
Babs: Seriously. You will all be scarred for life.
Stewart: Because of him? That old man?
10 minutes later...
Stewart: I'm so sorry...PLEASE no more! *sobbing in the corner.*
Alfred: *walks away with dignity.*
Bruce: Oi! Stewart! You're just lucky he didn't decide to try a new Abe Simpson ramble!
Alfred: Indeed, Sir. *Pats Bruce's hand.*
Stewart: *rolls his eyes.*
Alfred: *Originator of the Bat Glare of Doom stare.*
Stewart: AHHHHHH!!!!!
Alfred: I remember the day I came up with this glare! I was catching the trolley to Newhaven, which is what they called Bludhaven in those days. I remember that I had tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time....
Batman: *facepalm.*
Alfred: Sorry, Sir. Just channelling Abraham Simpson for a moment.
Beetle: Psst... Lantern! Wake up!
Lantern: Uh? Eh? French toast ple... hey, this isn't the Y!
Alfred sighed, leaning back in the chair. "Tired. He seemed very tired and weary. He was dirty, grunge and grime from the explosion covered his suit. Ash was in his hair, soot covered his face. The look in his eyes was heartbreaking. His words were haunting. I had told him he should be with his friends and he agreed saying "Yeah. The dead ones." It was," he sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Weighing upon him deeply. Master Dick believed that he was the sole cause for all of those deaths -- both at the circus and at the apartment building. He was certain that Mr. Desmond had killed all those people simply to get to him. Looking back, I should have realized that Master Dick was in shock from watching the explosion."
"Objection! The witness is not a medical expert," Stewart said standing, a smug look on his face."
Flash jumped up, "I think it’s a lay opinion, but I also can lay a foundation to allow it in as a medical term too if I may." At Wonder Woman's nod, Flash walked close to the witness stand. "Mr. Pennyworth, do you have any medical training that would allow you to recognize someone who is in shock?"
"I do. I was a medic in the British Army for quite a few years. I have seen many men suffering from shock. Further, after I came to work for the Wayne's there have been times when I have had to assist Dr. Wayne and Dr. Thompkins at the Park Row Clinic in a myriad of situations, and since Master Bruce took up his crusade, I have been the first line of medical treatment when he or any of the youngsters were injured. While I am not a medical doctor, I do know what I saw. Master Dick was, most definitely,
suffering from shock."
Alfred: I wouldn't count myself as an *expert*, sir, but I can read a medical tricorder as well as the next man... *ee-ee-ee-ee ee-ee-ee-ee* Interesting. It shows you're missing your brain, sir."
And Alfred should have done that. :D Stewart got Alfred angry. :D
"Mr. Desmond *was* behind it all," Alfred replied icily. He was not accustomed to so rudely being cut off in his speech. His blood pressure was rising.
"And your only evidence that Roland Desmond caused these atrocities is what the Defendant told you? Isn't that correct?" Lantern asked.
"That is what he told me because that was what it the truth is. And you bloody well know that, Sir," Alfred said as his fist balled on the arm of the chair.
"And Nightwing was going to make Desmond, who he claimed was responsible for all the recent calamities of his life, pay for it?" Stewart almost sneered as he asked his question.
"Of course he was," Alfred answered indignantly. "Wouldn't you?"
"And he did make him pay, by killing him," Stewart said with a slight satisfied smile.
"Objection!" Flash yelled leaping to his feet.
Lantern: SHADDAP! *ZAAAP* See? The source of it all! This limey has been teaching them all to kill from the start, and I demand he be punished! *ZAAAAP!!*
Alfred: *merely shuts his eyes, doesn't fall*
Lantern: *gasp* What the? How did you?...
Alfred: I, sir, am an ENGLISHMAN!! And you, sir, are an uncouth pig!
Batman: *Applauds.*
Alfred: Thank you, Master Bruce. *Calmly leaves the Witness Stand, bows to Stewart, and walks to his seat.*
Flash shook his head and Green Arrow leaned over to Alfred, "You can step down. They're done. Thank you, Alfred." Ollie shook his head at John Stewart before looking back to the defense.
With an appreciative nod, Alfred stood, tugged his jacket down, and marched back to his seat. Before crossing the makeshift bar, he took Nightwing's outstretched hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze, turned to glare at Green Lantern, and then moved to his seat beside Batman.
Oh, boy. Next witness: Amy Rohrbach. Nightwing's partner.
Of all the times for there to be a *good* cop in the Haven PD...
True. And at least she knows Nightwing is Dick Grayson. And she's telling everything that Dick went through.
"I fired him from a job he loved and was more trained for than anyone else on the force including myself. Then, I heard his girlfriend broke up with him," Amy's eyes caught Barbara's. Barbara broke the connection by looking down. Amy watched as Dick's hand slowly covered Barbara's. "Then there was
the fire at the circus, the explosion of his building. I was one of the first cops on the scene. My God, it was hell on earth. Fire and bodies and carnage. Only one person survived that explosion -- Aaron Helzinger -- he emerged from the wreckage of the building like a mad phoenix. He was alive, and that itself was a miracle, but he was hurt. Badly."
"Did you see him again before Blockbuster's death?"
"Yes, I did. I didn't know how to reach him. The phone in what was his apartment was dead. Dick wasn't answering his cell, so I went to his current partner hoping Gannon knew something I didn't. He did. Not much, but that Dick's father was from Gotham. Then the pieces fell into place. Nightwing's father was from Gotham which meant that he had to be Batman. So I ... my husband and I created a Nightwing signal in the sky ... like the Batsignal they use in Gotham. It was effective. Nightwing came to it
like a moth to flame."
"What did you want to talk to him about?"
...
"What do you mean get Desmond? Did you mean arrest him?"
"No. I mean so he could" This was hard ... too hard ... but she had to admit it. Dick needed her to. And as hard as this was on her, this whole trial had to be one hundred times worse for him. " ... kill Blockbuster and the force would close ranks and protect him. It would have been made to appear to be justifiable homicide. But he would not take the gun. He wouldn't do it, because he's not a killer," Amy stated with conviction as she made eye contact with the members of the Tribunal. "After everything
Blockbuster had done for him Nightwing still could not kill him, because he is no killer. When he left Jim and me on that rooftop that night, he intended to bring Blockbuster in, but he had no intention of killing him."
Stewart: Ooohhh fibs! Everyone knows the Haven cops are BENT BENT BENT!! Their academy trains people to be KILLERS!!!"
Stewart mentions that. :lol:
"And you’re sure he could have "gotten away with it" under your method of murder?"
She smiled at the prosecutor. "Absolutely. It's Bludhaven. It would've been ruled a justifiable shooting if Officer Grayson had blown Desmond's brains out. Maybe not to you people, but as far as the law would have been concerned, it would have been a closed case."
"And you're one of the "good" cops in Bludhaven," Stewart quipped. "Just like Nightwing was."
"Objection!" Flash yelled.
"Nightwing...that is Dick Grayson, was your partner, correct?"
"Yes," Her gaze ventured back to Dick before she looked back up at the odious man before her.
"And you care about him?" Stewart pressed on.
She knew where this was going and rolled her eyes. "Yes, of course I care about him. He's a friend."
"And you want to help him out of trouble if you can?" His voice dripping with condescension.
"Of course," she replied back with sincerity.
"So, you'll excuse me if I find your testimony that Nightwing did not intend to kill Blockbuster suspect."
Amy let out a derisive laugh, his attempt to intimidate her fell on deaf ears. "You can suspect whatever you like, Green Lantern." She lifted her left arm showing the lasso wrapped around her wrist, "but I think this ensures that I'm not lying."
Lantern: You've deluded yourself into believing your own lies! He's GUILTY!! He blew away Blockbuster's brains while the entire Haven PD watched, and cheered, and laughed, and had a jolly good time drinking his blood! Like the Haven their town is named after!"
Batman: *rolls his eyes, throws Stewart over his shoulder, and tosses him to Superman.*
Superman: Heh. Heh. Heh.
Stewart: You can't do this!
Batman: *takes the ring.*
Superman: *throws him out the airlock.*
Wally: Uhhhh... Supes? *points to GL still on his shoulder*
Superman: What the? D'OH!!
Batman: Don't worry. I'm Batman. I can breathe in space.
Superman: No, you can't! You're human!
Batman: I'm a Phoenix!
Superman: Oh, right.
Batman: And... I'm Batman. *grins*
Superman: True. You probably have a gadget to help you breathe in space. After all, you have one to mask your heartbeat. (That's true--he does.)
"I am not...over...protective," Bruce replied as he slowly sipped his coffee. "I just want to-- "
Selina took his hand in hers. "Yes, we know what you want to do. We want to do it too, but we don't want to get in Barbara's way. She and Wally are doing a pretty good job of protecting Dick right now too."
"Indeed," Alfred replied. "Has Mr. Stewart been as despicable in his tactics throughout the trial as he has been today?"
Selina raised an eyebrow and sat her Styrofoam cup down on the table. "He was restrained today compared to how they've been."
"Which explains Master Timothy's reaction," Alfred replied flatly.
Batman: Not restrained enough!
Stewart: d-i-III heard that! *ZAAAAP!!!*
Batman: Didn't I throw you out the airlock?
Stewart: Yes...but someone let me back in!
Batman: I find that hard to believe.
GL: I have the keys!
Batman: I can believe that.
Superman: *smirks, throws him back out, and changes the lock.*
Stewart: *reenters* Silly Supes! Hello, I'm Green Lantern, I can make any key I need!
Superman: *Destroys ring, and throws him out.*
Stewart: Hey!
Batman: You're more ruthless than I give you credit for. Thank you.
Superman: No problem. Want some coffee? I can make us breakfast.
Batman: Sure.
*They leave, ignoring the pounding to get back in.*
And we've run out of original fic for now, we might be back here when the author writes more. :)
Context Fusion Theatre - 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.
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*
In that fanfic? Court went wild, Robin went on the stand. Blue Beetle almost made him cry. Then, he punched out Beetle. :D
That'll teach him to make him cry :lol:
Yes. :D And because of that, Superman, Arsenal, Nightwing, and Batman were moving in to kill Stewart. :D Because he tried to grab Robin.
*blink* Wait, *Tim* punched him out? Teddy in for a whole world o' trouble when he wakes up... ;)
Yes, Tim. :D No, they sent Tim home. It was safer than being in court. :lol:
It'd be safer for Ted if he went into hiding... he made Tim cry. Once Cass finds out....
Very true. But better news is Oracle rolled over Beetle's foot. :D
And aiders and abetters, the lot of them! :lol:
Yes. :lol:
What, really? As in the way we write her?
Yes. :D She pretended it was an accident. :lol:
Yay! :D
And during Robin's questioning, he couldn't help but tell the truth. The lasso was around him.
Beetle nodded, “Yes. You weren’t there to physically stop him, but wasn’t it the same that he was upset, angry and was striking out at someone he believed had killed or hurt those he cared for?”
"No. I mean I wasn’t there, but from what I heard Rage wasn’t there either, so I don’t think it was similar.”
Ted’s composure faltered and he stopped, confused by what Robin had said. "What?"
"Rage is a meta who heightens anger to a artifically high level. Overwhelming berserker rage ... he was in the church the night the Joker provided "proof" that he had killed me. He was affecting Nightwing that night so that Nightwing could not stop himself until after Rage transported out of the church."
Jean looked up and over at her opposition's table. She caught the slight smile that had crept onto Barbara Gordon's face. They both knew Ted was being led into a trap ... into the dreaded "one too many" question. Before she could stop him, he voiced his question and she just shook her head and braced for the answer.
"Are you now, or have you ever been... a META?!"
Oh, and Starfire went on the stand. She barely resisted incinerating Beetle and Stewart. But she did blow a huge hole in the Watchtower. :lol:
Isn't the watchtower outside, like... space?
Yes. They had to fix it quickly, or they'd die. The part she blew up was fixed, and blocked from the rest of the Watchtower, so nobody would die.
Except they didn't actually die... except nobody found out for 78 years...
"Kory," a voice in a normal, low conversational tone spoke firmly without anger or inflection from behind Beetle. It was simply spoken and its lack of urgency, but certain quiet authority caught Beetle’s attention.
The fierce warrior turned toward the sound of her name coming from her former lover, leader and friend. Nightwing gave a slight shake of his head. Taking a deep breath, she strode off the platform and down the center aisle. Intentionally, she bowled into Blue Beetle knocking him back onto the prosecution table and stormed from the room.
Before the doors leaving the Hall of Justice slid closed, they heard the sounds of starbolts shooting through the corridor. Warning sirens flared and a mechanical voice detailed the hull breach in sector fourteen-d. It detailed the safety precautions of the WatchTower -- how the forcefield was containing the breach.
Seconds that seemed like minutes ticked by as the occupants of the Hall of Justice stood seemingly immobilized by some unseen force. Barbara tapped her fingers on the wooden table, looked up at the Tribunal, and said, "I have no questions."
"Someone is going to have to pay to repair the damages she just caused to the WatchTower," Green Lantern said sternly.
"Send me the bill," Batman flippantly replied. Robin, sitting between Batman and Catwoman, beamed a smile toward the prosecution.
Captain Marvel cleared his throat. "Well, yes, I, um, now would be a good time for lunch. We'll resume in ninety minutes."
Nightwing walked back to the defense table and propped against it supporting himself on his arms. A loud sigh escaped his lips.
Flash looked at Oracle and then at Nightwing. "Dude, you really go for the volitile women." He started to grin but instead let out a loud "Oww!" when Barbara hit him on the head with her legal pad.
Should've been sector 15 ;)
Hopefully that would be Stewart's quarters. Rather than anyone else's. :D
Silly Wally!
Right, but silly :lol:
"Someone's gonna have to pay for that!"
"We're in space. No money!"
"No money? That means we don't get paid!"
Cap: Now would be a good time for lunch... except... the kitchen just got spaced....
Dick and Wally: NOOOOOO!!!
Bruce: How could you, Kory?! Wally's always hungry--so is Dick!
John: Don't worry, I can make lunch! *rings up some food*
*people start tasting hestantly*
Random: Hey, what is this?
John: Soylent green!
Dick: OK...who am I eating?
Stewart: Wally.
Dick: Kill him, Arsenal! *The Batclan and Outsiders attack.*
"So, with your relationships with your family, Batman and your team strained; after being tortured and being the cause of the death of two of your teammates; being stranded with no way to come home; in a most desperate situation, you did not freeze? You did not kill? But Nightwing with far more training just could not bring himself to save Blockbuster."
"Objection!" Barbara yelled. Her angry fist slammed into the table causing books to topple and files to shift.
Robin, however, was not listening. He was glowering at Blue Beetle, his face flushed from heat. "Yes Ted, I am incompetent. I couldn't lead my team, two of them "died"...sorta, and even if I coulda got our ship working again--I knew I would be coming home to a father who thought I was a criminal at the very least and Batman who I thought didn't want me around. Thanks for reminding me...of course, I didn't have to watch someone systematically destroy my life and threaten everyone I ever cared about. If I had had the power to kill Darkseid I might have...happy?"
Lantern: He admits it! They're all killers!!
Robin stared at the golden lasso surrounding his wrist. His fingers tried, unsuccessfully, to pull the rope from his arm. "I'm done. I wanna go."
Blue Beetle waved his hands in front of him. "Oh no. We're not done."
"Yes, we are done!" Robin spat.
"No. Who else did Nightwing kill?"
"Objection!" Oracle shouted. "Nightwing has not killed anyone."
"Sustained," Captain Marvel replied.
"I'll rephrase. Robin, please tell the Court who you were referring to." Beetle stood between the prosecution and defense tables watching the boy.
"I ... no ... I ..." He tugged the lasso again. Instead of coming off, the magical object seemed to tighten around his wrist compelling him to answer. "Judge ... Judge Watkins. Lawrence Watkins."
"How did Nightwing cause Judge Watkins death?"
Robin turned pleading eyes to Nightwing. "This is between Dick and me, Ted. Don't make me --"
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Nightwing's voice held a deadly edge as he shouted at the prosecutor. When all eyes fell upon him, Nightwing was standing, glaring at Beetle, seemingly ready to strike. He started around Barbara, his eyes now fixed on his younger brother. "This has nothing to do with this!"
"He has to answer," Beetle said to Nightwing.
"He doesn't HAVE to do anything," Nightwing growled as he fiercely whirled on Blue Beetle.
Beetle backed up and into Green Lantern who was also advancing around his table. "Um ... Security," Beetle said looking at Booster who was sitting there watching.
"What?" Booster asked pointing at himself. "Me?" He saw Captain Atom advancing from the back of the room and pointed, shouting to Blue Beetle, "He'll take care of it, Ted. I'm just gonna watch."
Stewart: He killed a Judge! A Judge should decide his fate! *rings up a portal, Judge Dredd comes through*
Dredd: What in the dro... Batman?
Stewart: You! Judge Dredd! That young spug killed a Judge! What say you to his sentence?!"
Judge Dredd: I hate this. Innocent! I know Batman!
Stewart: *facepalm.*
Judge Dredd: Can I go home now?
Stewart: Sure.
Batman: *Smirks.*
"It wasn't...like that," Robin said, his voice barely a whisper.
"Tell us what it was Robin?" Wonder Woman's soft voice soothed.
"Dick was Robin then. He was nine...Two-Face had captured Batman and Judge Watkins. Dick had to choose who died first, scarred or unscarred side of the coin. Batman tried to warn him, but Dick thought that if he could keep Two-Face going or maybe even win, Batman would have time to save them all. But ... he didn't know...didn't understand Two-Face then. He didn’t know that you can’t play the game. Dick’s choice made the judge’s death first. He baited Two-Face into a second coin toss, to try and stop him from killing the judge. He won the toss, but although Two-Face honored his bet. He didn’t hang the judge, he drowned him. If he hadn’t played the game, Two-Face woulda focused on Batman or him. He wouldn’t have killed the Judge. But he didn’t know…He's always blamed himself for that. But it wasn't his fault." Robin looked back up, his eyes glaring at Blue Beetle. "And what happened with Blockbuster...that wasn't his fault either. Oh he blames himself just like he blames himself for Judge Watkins' death, because that's the type of guy he is, but it wasn't his fault!"
"Well that's for the Tribunal to decide," Stewart sniped from the table.
"Oh objection," Flash yelled.
"You aren't part of this examination," Stewart parroted Oracle's words to Flash.
"Neither are you, but I can be part of something if you want it," Flash retorted. He didn't need eyes in the back of his head to know there was a mile-wide grin crossing Roy Harper's face. The audible "Woo" from the back told him all he needed to know.
John: Quiet you! *ZAAAP!!*
Babs: You so don't get my voice right, Green Loser!
Robin's hand easily escaped the lasso that had been binding him before. The boy almost jumped down from the witness chair. He kept his eyes on his brother as he headed over to his seat beside of Batman.
Blue Beetle whispered, "I'm sorry Tim," as Robin walked by. He started to look down, but was caught in the nose by a green gloved fist smashing into his face. Blood spurted. Gasps emitted from the audience, drowned out by Arsenal's "OH YEAH!"
"Shub up Roy!" Ollie screamed from his seat at the Tribunal table.
Nightwing and Batman seemed to have materialized at Robin's side. Stewart stood screaming for security.
"You brobe my nobe," Beetle said clutching his face.
Booster placed a comforting hand on Beetle's shoulder. "He sure did. That was a great right hook. You shoulda seen it."
Robin's whole body was jerking as a mixture of emotions raged over him. He turned from the bloody scene of Ted Kord's face and wrapped his arms around the man who was his brother. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Shh, shh, you're good. It's good," Nightwing soothed softly.
Jean Lorring elbowed Green Lantern, her head tilting toward the bench where all members of the Tribunal watched the tender moment between brothers. Lantern knew he had to remind the Tribunal of what had happened immediately before. "That was an assault!" Stewart began his outcry. "I demand--" He grabbed at Robin's cape but before he connected, Nightwing's gauntleted hand shoved him backwards.
"You don't demand anything," Batman interrupted stepping between the Green Lantern and his boys. His voice was low but the message it conveyed was quiet clear.
Lantern: I DO DEMAND, you PUTZ!! He assaulted an officer of the court in front of the entire panel, and I. WILL. MAKE. HIM. PAY!!! *ZAAAAAAAAAP!!!*
Captain Marvel breaks a table trying to get Stewart to be quiet. :D
"But what about assault charges --"
"What part of 'not another word' do you not understand, Lantern?" Captain Marvel asked rhetorically as he stood to his full height. The hands of the World's Mightest Mortal slamming into the already fractured table causing the wood to buckle and the table to cave in. Sighing, Marvel looked to Plastic Man. "Please get us a new table. We're adjourned for the day."
Marvel: *crack!* Now will you be quiet?
Lantern: *blink*"...
...
You are a very odd person.
He breaks another table later on, too. :lol:
Hmmm... *comes up with theory...*
Beetle isn't really a bad guy. He goes to joke around with Babs once they take a recess. It's Stewart who's horrible. *Wonders what the theory is.*
Marvel = Tick :D
This is true--that's how he normally acts. :D
SPOON!! :D
Tick, with the Wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Atlas, etc...
And he (Marvel) doesn't want no dissention / just dy-nam-ic tension....
Rachel/Anna: He's not that horrible
Robin: You coulda fooled me. And I used to look up to him, too...
That's basically what he says later. Robin, I mean.
Ted shrugged. "I'll heal. What about Tim?" He leaned against the examination table.
Barbara shrugged back. "I hope he'll heal."
"Yeah, emotional wounds aren't as easy to repair as my nose." He grinned slightly before a sigh escaped his lips. "I'm really sorry Barbara. I don't know why I did it. I think my brain had a Booster moment."
Barbara laughed. "Oh Ted, warn me before you say something like that."
Babs: Does that mean your brain swaps with Booster's at those times?
Ted: We can only hope!
That would be scary, too. Beetle acting stupid, Booster acting smart. :D
I'm not sure if anyone would really pay attention and notice, though...
Random person: *blink* *blink* I'm going back to bed...
Probably what would happen, too. :lol:
Roy stopped dead in his tracks and glared at Wally. "I am going in. No one is stopping me. You got that. I'm seeing Dick. Besides it wasn't the whole Tribunal that said he couldn't have visitors, it was just Marvel. Well Ollie can counter his vote and he'd let me in."
"Ollie would hit you in the head with a stick. He probably has an arrow called Roy just to use for you. Shoot it at you and it envelopes your head in a soundproof bubble."
An incredulous look fell upon Roy's face as he rolled his eyes. "Shut up and let's go see the Boss."
Roy: We're here to see...
*thwip* *bubble!*
"According to Oracle, counsel is not just the attorneys or acting attorneys but their staff. Roy's...staff."
"Staff?" Captain Atom asked incredulously.
"Yeah he's..." Flash zipped around Captain Atom, grabbed the score pad Plastic Man and Booster had been using and zagged back between Atom and Arsenal slapping the pad into Arsenal's chest, "my secretary."
Cocking his head to the side, Captain Atom gave the duo a "Yeah, ri-ight" look as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"The tribunal said only counsel and witnesses --"
"I'm a witness!" Roy bellowed. "We're gonna go work on my witnesseyness."
Wally smiled broadly. "He does have you there. Roy gets to go in. Open 'er up."
With a defeated and exhasperated sigh, Captain Atom punched in the code to the key pad by the door and watched the heavy door slide open. Arsenal followed Flash into the small cell stopping for a moment to pat Captain Atom on the arm as he passed. "His secretary. I'm gonna sit on his lap and everything."
Nightwing heard the secretary comment--he isn't sure if he wants to know or not. :lol:
Babs: I'm going to end up *owning* Playgirl by the end of this...
"How's Tim?" Dick asked. He drew his other leg up on the bunk and hooked his arm around it.
"He's okay," Roy said leaning back on the table resting on his elbows. "Batman and Catwoman took him back to Gotham. Not sure if he'll be up here for anymore of the trial."
"That might be a good thing," Dick sighed. "I want them to leave him alone. If they want to come after me that's okay, but they need to leave my family alone."
"I think Batman's going to make sure that they can't call Robin or Batgirl. I don't think anyone will be able to find them," Wally said as he leaned back against the wall. "Stewart was going on and on about bringing assault charges against Tim."
"Which shows what a colossal jerk he is," Roy said propping his legs on the bunk in front of him. "Tim had every right to hit Ted. Hell, I had a right to hit Ted out of general principal and was heading down there to do just that."
Wally: Y'know, I think they should call Batgirl up!
Roy: Why, she wasn't there.
Wally: Yeah, but when Stewart goes to far... no power in the 'verse can save him!
Stewart: *rambles on and on.*
Batgirl: *silent.*
Stewart: *Blah blah...Tim was stupid...blah blah....insults* Speak up!
Batgirl: *Batglare.*
Batman: Finally, something good is going to happen.
Batgirl: *Beats him up before he can get to the ring.*
And Captain Marvel tries to get order in the court. :D
"Marvel folded his hands and laid them on the table. "Ladies and Gentlemen the drama portion of this trial is over. You people have run amok and it stops now. I may not know what a real court is like, but I am very sure that badgering a sixteen year old to the brink of tears would not be accepted, badgering a sixteen year old to the point of physical violence is not acceptable here."
The Batclan weren't the only ones about to attack Blue Beetle. :D
"I know there is maneuvering, I know there is legal jockeying, but all of that takes a backseat to the fact that every single person in that courtroom is someone we know. MOST are our friends. Today, Beetle, you used things told to you in confidence, and then badgered a hero to the point that I am quite sure that it was soon going to be a race to see who tore you into pieces first - Batman, Nightwing, Robin... or how about Superman and Arsenal who were both moving in."
Barbara's head jerks up, confusion on her face. She looked at Ted and saw his eyes were wide with confusion as well. She looked to Wally who shrugged and mouthed to her "I'll tell you later."
Beetle needs to go buy a lotto ticket, for he got so very very lucky...
Meanwhile, GL mutters yes it is... yes, it's acceptable...
All those people were trying to protect Tim. He's the youngest in the Batclan, and Batman will not let anything happen to him. :D
"We weren't the only one's who were out of line in that courtroom," Stewart said. "I want to know what charges are going to be brought against Robin for attacking Blue Beetle?"
"No charges," Ted interrupted. "No one is doing anything else to Robin. I...I've done enough. I want him left alone."
"Fine. But what about Nightwing? He assaulted me," Green Lantern started.
"Now wait a minute!" Wally yelled standing up. "That wasn't an assault. He was just keeping you away from Robin."
Later...
"ENOUGH!" Captain Marvel slammed a book down on the table causing the table to crack under the force. Both Prosecution and Defense teams jumped at the noise.
Green Arrow leaned over to J'onn, "That's two tables today. He's on a roll."
Green Arrow: He must have stock in the local IKEA...
And if he doesn't, he needs to buy some. He'll cause it to go up, buying a new table every day. :D
"Nightwing has not been proven guilty yet and until that point, he is the accused. Do you not understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty Stewart?"
Stewart blustered. "I'm prose --"
"NO! You're not. You're persecuting. There's a difference."
"Let me expla --" Stewart started.
"No. What about chambers and judge do you NOT get? Forget Nightwing's reputation at this point, he's done a real good job on it without the prosecutions help. But now we've moved on to Robin, Batman. Who is next Superman?"
And a little later....
"I'm sorry Cap, that you feel --" Green Lantern started.
Marvel clenched his fists but did not turn around. "Lantern, I may be blessed with gifts from the gods -- but you ... you've just managed to get on my last nerve. If you say anything else, you'll ruin everything you accomplished with your case. Get. Out."
Lantern: It's not enough - I'm not going to be satisfied until they're ALL charged!
Marvel: Then want will be your master.
Lantern: Master THIS!! *ZAAAAP!!*
Batman will probably be watching him for quite a while, to make sure he stays away from Robin. :D
Lantern: Superman? Superman would be good! Aider and abetter from way back, and not even human!!"
And Batman would probably try to protect him, too. :D At this point, they're still best friends.
Mysterious package: To Robin - some green candy, from - A Friend... ;)
Robin would probably blow it up to make sure it wasn't from The Joker. :D
Mysterious Package: Return to Sender...a little singed.
Joker: *pouts* Stupid Green Lantern, getting in the way of all of *my* little games for dear ol' boy blunder....
Barbara smiled and hugged Wally, "You don't mind if I borrow you from Dick as a friend occasionally, do you?"
"I'd be honored," he replied. Wally then scratched his head, "Only...did we just get bitch slapped by Captain Marvel?"
"Yes."
"He's really getting the hang of this judge thing. Who knows, he may go to law school when he grows up." Barbara laughed out loud at this and Wally joined her. "Well...if we got bitched slapped...Lantern and Beetle just got the enema of justice cleaning out."
"I like that visual." Barbara smiled a bit then sighed as reality crept back in.
Meanwhile:
Billy: Hey, look at this! I've got a letter from a law firm, offering me a place in their advanced work placement program! Anyone ever hear of this "Wolfram and Hart"?....
Superman: *Shreds and burns it.*
Billy: Aww.
Superman: It's evil. Captain Marvel can't do that. Hey, John?
Stewart: Yes? Of course I'll join them! MWAhahahahaha!
"So we do put Dick on the stand?"
"We don't have a choice. We have to. And we have to hope that Dick's subconscious is more understanding of his actions than his conscious mind is."
Does that mean they're going to hypnotize him? That would be interesting.
Dick's Subconscious: *with maracas* "I am Evil Nightwing! I am Evil Nightwing!"
Stewart: OK...anyone want to take away the maracas?
Superman: Not me! They're Kryptonite Maracas!
Batman: *watches Dick's subconscious do the mambo, and a waltz.* My son--the crazy person. Can't wait to tell Tim about this. *finds a camera.*
Babs: Way ahead of you, Batboss!
Nightwing: Shake your Bon Bon! Shake your Bon Bon! Shake your Bon Bon!
Babs: He thinks he's Ricky Martin!
Batman: *Films* Ohh, more blackmail...
Superman: *stares*
Stewart: *blink*
Captain Marvel: *watching* Uh...order...*sees Nightwing do a handstand.* Ahem. Order in the court! This isn't a circus!
Nightwing: *does a cartwheel.*
Captain Marvel: Even if it does seem like one...
Nightwing: *teleports*
Batman: Someone want to wake him up? He can't teleport when he's normal!
Stewart: O...kay....
Superman: *wakes him.*
Nightwing: Why am I holding maracas? And...why am I wearing a hula dress?
Babs: No idea honey *acts innocent while winking to the side*
Batman: As you can see, Captain Marvel, every member of the Bat Clan has an insane subconscious.
Superman: He's not kidding!
Babs: HEY! I don't!
Bruce: Oh no? *hypnotises Babs*
Babs' Subconscious: o/"....I've been making shows of trading blows just hoping no one knows...
Superman: It would be better if we hypnotized you, Bruce.
Bruce: *wakes up Babs.* Ok.
Superman: *Hypnotizes him.*
Bruce: I am fire and life incarnate...I...AM...PHOENIX!!!!
Superman: See?
Flash looked at her with wide eyes, “You mean, they wanted to rip someone apart so Dick would lose it? So the tribunal would see him as unable to control himself?”
“Yes. Of course, they needed someone to rip apart that wouldn’t maim them. They couldn’t use Batman that would have been...bad. They tried Kory and then settled on Tim. At least, he punched Ted for his trouble. Unfortunately, it was too late Dick had already gone stupid.” Barbara pinched the bridge of her nose. "So help me, if that best friend of yours acts up one more time I am going to taser him in the courtroom."
"Nah, you're not going to do that."
"I'm not?" Barbara asked with an incredulous look on her face as she stared across at him.
"Nope. You're not gonna have a chance to taser my best friend because I swear if he jumps up I'm gonna clock him."
Barbara laughed and reached across the table taking his hand in hers. "I do think I love you."
"Sorry, I'm married," he said with a wink.
The prosecution called Alfred to the witness stand. Oh, no. Stewart is a dead man. If Alfred doesn't kill him, Batman will. Oh, good. It was the defense, not the prosecution. :D
Alfred: You? You tried to SPACE MY BISCUITS?!
Wally: Oh, Alfred's mad!
Alfred: Not mad, Master Wally. Merely... miffed. You have yet to see "mad".
Bruce: This is true. Mad is scary with him.
Babs: Seriously. You will all be scarred for life.
Stewart: Because of him? That old man?
10 minutes later...
Stewart: I'm so sorry...PLEASE no more! *sobbing in the corner.*
Alfred: *walks away with dignity.*
Bruce: Oi! Stewart! You're just lucky he didn't decide to try a new Abe Simpson ramble!
Alfred: Indeed, Sir. *Pats Bruce's hand.*
Stewart: *rolls his eyes.*
Alfred: *Originator of the Bat Glare of Doom stare.*
Stewart: AHHHHHH!!!!!
Alfred: I remember the day I came up with this glare! I was catching the trolley to Newhaven, which is what they called Bludhaven in those days. I remember that I had tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time....
Batman: *facepalm.*
Alfred: Sorry, Sir. Just channelling Abraham Simpson for a moment.
Beetle: Psst... Lantern! Wake up!
Lantern: Uh? Eh? French toast ple... hey, this isn't the Y!
Alfred sighed, leaning back in the chair. "Tired. He seemed very tired and weary. He was dirty, grunge and grime from the explosion covered his suit. Ash was in his hair, soot covered his face. The look in his eyes was heartbreaking. His words were haunting. I had told him he should be with his friends and he agreed saying "Yeah. The dead ones." It was," he sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Weighing upon him deeply. Master Dick believed that he was the sole cause for all of those deaths -- both at the circus and at the apartment building. He was certain that Mr. Desmond had killed all those people simply to get to him. Looking back, I should have realized that Master Dick was in shock from watching the explosion."
"Objection! The witness is not a medical expert," Stewart said standing, a smug look on his face."
Flash jumped up, "I think it’s a lay opinion, but I also can lay a foundation to allow it in as a medical term too if I may." At Wonder Woman's nod, Flash walked close to the witness stand. "Mr. Pennyworth, do you have any medical training that would allow you to recognize someone who is in shock?"
"I do. I was a medic in the British Army for quite a few years. I have seen many men suffering from shock. Further, after I came to work for the Wayne's there have been times when I have had to assist Dr. Wayne and Dr. Thompkins at the Park Row Clinic in a myriad of situations, and since Master Bruce took up his crusade, I have been the first line of medical treatment when he or any of the youngsters were injured. While I am not a medical doctor, I do know what I saw. Master Dick was, most definitely,
suffering from shock."
Alfred: I wouldn't count myself as an *expert*, sir, but I can read a medical tricorder as well as the next man... *ee-ee-ee-ee ee-ee-ee-ee* Interesting. It shows you're missing your brain, sir."
And Alfred should have done that. :D Stewart got Alfred angry. :D
"Mr. Desmond *was* behind it all," Alfred replied icily. He was not accustomed to so rudely being cut off in his speech. His blood pressure was rising.
"And your only evidence that Roland Desmond caused these atrocities is what the Defendant told you? Isn't that correct?" Lantern asked.
"That is what he told me because that was what it the truth is. And you bloody well know that, Sir," Alfred said as his fist balled on the arm of the chair.
"And Nightwing was going to make Desmond, who he claimed was responsible for all the recent calamities of his life, pay for it?" Stewart almost sneered as he asked his question.
"Of course he was," Alfred answered indignantly. "Wouldn't you?"
"And he did make him pay, by killing him," Stewart said with a slight satisfied smile.
"Objection!" Flash yelled leaping to his feet.
Lantern: SHADDAP! *ZAAAP* See? The source of it all! This limey has been teaching them all to kill from the start, and I demand he be punished! *ZAAAAP!!*
Alfred: *merely shuts his eyes, doesn't fall*
Lantern: *gasp* What the? How did you?...
Alfred: I, sir, am an ENGLISHMAN!! And you, sir, are an uncouth pig!
Batman: *Applauds.*
Alfred: Thank you, Master Bruce. *Calmly leaves the Witness Stand, bows to Stewart, and walks to his seat.*
Flash shook his head and Green Arrow leaned over to Alfred, "You can step down. They're done. Thank you, Alfred." Ollie shook his head at John Stewart before looking back to the defense.
With an appreciative nod, Alfred stood, tugged his jacket down, and marched back to his seat. Before crossing the makeshift bar, he took Nightwing's outstretched hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze, turned to glare at Green Lantern, and then moved to his seat beside Batman.
Oh, boy. Next witness: Amy Rohrbach. Nightwing's partner.
Of all the times for there to be a *good* cop in the Haven PD...
True. And at least she knows Nightwing is Dick Grayson. And she's telling everything that Dick went through.
"I fired him from a job he loved and was more trained for than anyone else on the force including myself. Then, I heard his girlfriend broke up with him," Amy's eyes caught Barbara's. Barbara broke the connection by looking down. Amy watched as Dick's hand slowly covered Barbara's. "Then there was
the fire at the circus, the explosion of his building. I was one of the first cops on the scene. My God, it was hell on earth. Fire and bodies and carnage. Only one person survived that explosion -- Aaron Helzinger -- he emerged from the wreckage of the building like a mad phoenix. He was alive, and that itself was a miracle, but he was hurt. Badly."
"Did you see him again before Blockbuster's death?"
"Yes, I did. I didn't know how to reach him. The phone in what was his apartment was dead. Dick wasn't answering his cell, so I went to his current partner hoping Gannon knew something I didn't. He did. Not much, but that Dick's father was from Gotham. Then the pieces fell into place. Nightwing's father was from Gotham which meant that he had to be Batman. So I ... my husband and I created a Nightwing signal in the sky ... like the Batsignal they use in Gotham. It was effective. Nightwing came to it
like a moth to flame."
"What did you want to talk to him about?"
...
"What do you mean get Desmond? Did you mean arrest him?"
"No. I mean so he could" This was hard ... too hard ... but she had to admit it. Dick needed her to. And as hard as this was on her, this whole trial had to be one hundred times worse for him. " ... kill Blockbuster and the force would close ranks and protect him. It would have been made to appear to be justifiable homicide. But he would not take the gun. He wouldn't do it, because he's not a killer," Amy stated with conviction as she made eye contact with the members of the Tribunal. "After everything
Blockbuster had done for him Nightwing still could not kill him, because he is no killer. When he left Jim and me on that rooftop that night, he intended to bring Blockbuster in, but he had no intention of killing him."
Stewart: Ooohhh fibs! Everyone knows the Haven cops are BENT BENT BENT!! Their academy trains people to be KILLERS!!!"
Stewart mentions that. :lol:
"And you’re sure he could have "gotten away with it" under your method of murder?"
She smiled at the prosecutor. "Absolutely. It's Bludhaven. It would've been ruled a justifiable shooting if Officer Grayson had blown Desmond's brains out. Maybe not to you people, but as far as the law would have been concerned, it would have been a closed case."
"And you're one of the "good" cops in Bludhaven," Stewart quipped. "Just like Nightwing was."
"Objection!" Flash yelled.
"Nightwing...that is Dick Grayson, was your partner, correct?"
"Yes," Her gaze ventured back to Dick before she looked back up at the odious man before her.
"And you care about him?" Stewart pressed on.
She knew where this was going and rolled her eyes. "Yes, of course I care about him. He's a friend."
"And you want to help him out of trouble if you can?" His voice dripping with condescension.
"Of course," she replied back with sincerity.
"So, you'll excuse me if I find your testimony that Nightwing did not intend to kill Blockbuster suspect."
Amy let out a derisive laugh, his attempt to intimidate her fell on deaf ears. "You can suspect whatever you like, Green Lantern." She lifted her left arm showing the lasso wrapped around her wrist, "but I think this ensures that I'm not lying."
Lantern: You've deluded yourself into believing your own lies! He's GUILTY!! He blew away Blockbuster's brains while the entire Haven PD watched, and cheered, and laughed, and had a jolly good time drinking his blood! Like the Haven their town is named after!"
Batman: *rolls his eyes, throws Stewart over his shoulder, and tosses him to Superman.*
Superman: Heh. Heh. Heh.
Stewart: You can't do this!
Batman: *takes the ring.*
Superman: *throws him out the airlock.*
Wally: Uhhhh... Supes? *points to GL still on his shoulder*
Superman: What the? D'OH!!
Batman: Don't worry. I'm Batman. I can breathe in space.
Superman: No, you can't! You're human!
Batman: I'm a Phoenix!
Superman: Oh, right.
Batman: And... I'm Batman. *grins*
Superman: True. You probably have a gadget to help you breathe in space. After all, you have one to mask your heartbeat. (That's true--he does.)
"I am not...over...protective," Bruce replied as he slowly sipped his coffee. "I just want to-- "
Selina took his hand in hers. "Yes, we know what you want to do. We want to do it too, but we don't want to get in Barbara's way. She and Wally are doing a pretty good job of protecting Dick right now too."
"Indeed," Alfred replied. "Has Mr. Stewart been as despicable in his tactics throughout the trial as he has been today?"
Selina raised an eyebrow and sat her Styrofoam cup down on the table. "He was restrained today compared to how they've been."
"Which explains Master Timothy's reaction," Alfred replied flatly.
Batman: Not restrained enough!
Stewart: d-i-III heard that! *ZAAAAP!!!*
Batman: Didn't I throw you out the airlock?
Stewart: Yes...but someone let me back in!
Batman: I find that hard to believe.
GL: I have the keys!
Batman: I can believe that.
Superman: *smirks, throws him back out, and changes the lock.*
Stewart: *reenters* Silly Supes! Hello, I'm Green Lantern, I can make any key I need!
Superman: *Destroys ring, and throws him out.*
Stewart: Hey!
Batman: You're more ruthless than I give you credit for. Thank you.
Superman: No problem. Want some coffee? I can make us breakfast.
Batman: Sure.
*They leave, ignoring the pounding to get back in.*
And we've run out of original fic for now, we might be back here when the author writes more. :)
