New Dynamics, Go!

Disclaimer: This is an AU, I don’t respect canon and I am not going to pretend to :)

First << Prev Next >>

I have decided that this is actually Battinson and that if he had raised Dick, Dick would definitely have more of a sibling relationship with him.

Jason:

Tim:

Jason:

Tim:

Batman: so…. you’re brothers now…. ifyouneedanythingaskDick

Batman: *sprints out of the room*

Tim: isn’t Dick back in Blüdhaven?

Jason: yup

Tim: does he do this often?

Jason: yup

Tim: so…. wanna see how I hacked into the Batcomputer?

Jason: of course

~Bonus~

Dick: Bruce. you. can’t. just. leave. them. alone. they’re little!

Batman: but I left you by yourself

Dick: I regularly fell off chandeliers! I shouldn’t have been left alone!

Batman: I thought you were happy….

Dick: oh my- I was happy, but kids need supervision. it’s impor-

Jason at the same time as Tim: Tim sat the Batcave on fire!

Tim at the same time as Jason: Jason sat the Batcave on fire!

Dick: it’s made out of rocks?????

Batman: my kids are so talented

i like the idea that bruce just shows up to league meetings with his birds with absolutely no explanation offered

i mean this man frequently stalks his coworkers and knows everything that's happening in their personal lives and i think he'd forget that HE is the weird one for doing it and not everybody automatically knows when he's acquired a new child

so he just shows up at the watchtower with a new bird and literally says nothing about it . just sits at his chair with the latest robin standing next to him and literally doesn't acknowledge that anything is different and it gets even more confusing when they change their costumes and names 😭

like

20-something bruce: and containing this may be a matter of-flash did you have a question

barry: uh. yeah. sorry, what is that?

20-something bruce: (glancing at 9 yr old dick who has been next to him for 45 minutes) that's robin. obviously. as i was saying,

-

early 30s bruce, who hasn't shown up with a robin for a few years, entering with a nightwing and a jason todd robin:

barry:

diana:

hal:

j'onn:

bruce: what.

hal:

hal: do you like clone them or

-

mid 30s bruce, quietly talking with a clearly-not-sixteen-years-old robin in the corner after being without one for two years:

hal:

diana:

barry:

j'onn:

clark:

bruce:

tim:

bruce: this one followed me

-

late 30s bruce zeta-beaming in with a nightwing, a slightly older robin, and an absolutely BUILT man in a red hood:

barry: did you hire a bodyguard

bruce: no.

barry: whos mr red over there

bruce: you don't remember my second one???

barry:

hal:

diana:

j'onn:

clark:

barry: did. did that one not die

jason: got better

-

later 30s bruce, quietly showing around a blonde robin:

hal:

bruce: don't ask.

hal: i didn't say anything

-

40 yr old bruce, making intense, unbroken eye contact with a black shadow:

clark, leaning over to talk to tim: what are they doing

tim, not looking up from his fancy ipad: do i look like i know that

-

red robin popping in unnanounced in the middle of a league meeting: batman is alive.

barry: who the FUCK are you???

-

batman, some minutes later, trailed by what is CLEARLY a new robin: did red robin happen to pass through here????

barry: i have several questions

-

no-longer-lost-in-the-time-stream bruce, talking to batgirl, black bat, and the signal:

hal: did you get three more.

bruce: no. just one.

hal: i shouldn't have asked, my bad

-

mid 40s bruce wayne, stepping out of the zeta tube: sorry i'm late

diana: not to worry. let's get start-

bruce: i have a few more coming behind me

zeta tube: 🌀🌀🌀

jason: hi

cass: 👋

diana:

diana: ok should we st-

zeta tube: 🌀🌀🌀

dick, holding damian like a scowling, sopping wet cat: bruce he's not feeling polite today

damian: HISSS

bruce: okay does he need to go back?

dick: he said he's fine but hes just not feeling polite

diana:

diana: is that the las-

zeta tube: 🌀🌀🌀

steph: b i need a hair tie

diana:

diana: so can-

zeta tube: 🌀🌀🌀

duke: b did i miss rolecall

diana: no, signal, you did not. let's-

zeta tube: 🌀🌀🌀

tim: b alf is mad at you

bruce: why

hal: it's like a fucking clown car

steph: you didn't eat breakfast

tim: you didn't eat breakfast either

steph: shut.

damian: HISSSS

jason: wing. if you do not keep that brat quiet-

dick: hes a BABY!!!!!

duke: you didn't eat breakfast either, timothy

jason: hes a BITCH!!!!!

tim: who the fuck told you????

cass: :)

hal: (storming off, in tears), YOU HAVE TOO MANY CHILDREN.

I know it's not really canon bc Alfred is seemingly ageless, but I like the idea that he was like 30-ish when Bruce was orphaned. Like Martha Wayne was like 20 when she had Bruce and 28 when she died with Thomas being 23 at Bruce's birth and 31 at the time of the shooting, while the butler they hired was around their age too (Alfred x Martha x Thomas rights), but Bruce never realized bc Alfred goes gray early and is, again, ageless. So, he is like panicking at 21 having acquired a nine year old and he's like 34 when Damian comes in his life and by the time the batfam has settled he's nearly forty and he asks Alfred how the fuck he kept up with him before he calmed down a bit as a teen bc he had a purpose and then fucked off to go train and Alfred just goes "I was ten years younger than you're now, sir, I also don't know how you do it. Have you looked into the Batman retirement plans more?" and it's only then that Bruce learns Alfred also had not fucking clue what he was doing and was pretty young (though way more reasonable than Bruce with Dick's adoption) to have a whole ass child as a responsiblity. Just the idea that they're closer in age tickles me

FIC REC FRIDAY

(template acquired from @sugaraddictarchangels, switching up the format a little bit for this one for Reasons)

Watch the Sky Go Dark by @thepartyresponsible

Rated: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Notes:  so here's the thing- everything thepartyresponsible writes is INCREDIBLE. every fic is so good, I could recommend all of them but I am gonna limit myself (for now) to the 2021 whumptober collection. the whump is not that bad by and large because the author "has the constitution of gelatin when it comes to gore" (paraphrasing) which I greatly appreciate as someone of a similar constitution

There are EIGHT chapters in here that I want to particularly highlight but honestly check out all 31 to see if the others pique your interest!

Chapter 2: Talking is Overrated, Gagged Relationships: Tony Stark/Clint Barton Fave Quote: “Holy shit,” Clint says. “Are you a mortician?” The man blinks twice, looks from Clint to the guts of the coffee machine and then back up again. Clint covers his entire face with his hand. “Just don’t,” Clint says. “Don’t listen to me. I think I meant electrician. Except you were—you know, it looks dead.”

Chapter 9: Presumed Dead, Blind Rage Relationships: Jason Todd/Tony Stark Fave Quote: “I actually,” Cyclops says, a little rushed, “have some questions. Related to the, uh. The fight? So if we could just--” “Yeah, definitely,” Captain America says, hustling quickly across the blood-splattered asphalt. “Happy to talk about that, sure.” “Gotta make a report,” Hawkeye adds, hurrying to follow.

Chapter 14: Under Pressure, Crush Injuries Relationships: None (pre Roy Harper/Frank Castle) Fave Quote: [this is actually from the author summary but I love it lmao] If you're worried about the "crush injuries," don't be. The injuries in question are pining-related injuries incurred as a result of Roy's damn near debilitating crush on Frank Castle.

Chapter 17: "Please Don't Move", Hemmorhage Relationships: Frank Castle/Clint Barton Fave Quote: “I didn’t offer to have sex with you for money,” Clint argues. “I asked you for money cuz I needed cash for the laundry, and then I tried to hit on you. I was just talking really fast because you answered the door half-naked, and I panicked.”

Chapter 20: Lost&Found, Trunk Relationships: Jason Todd/Dean Winchester Fave Quote: “We’re going to Gotham,” Dean says. He shrugs his jacket off for no real reason, drops it so it drapes across the Soldier. “If we show up without a body in the trunk, they’re gonna think we’re posers.”

Chapter 22: Cursed Relationships: Clint Barton/Tony Stark Fave Quote: “Oh.” Clint huffs out a breath, tries to reset the knight and bishop around him. “Well. Well. I don’t—you’ve just. Your penmanship,” he says, looking at nothing. “It’s very. You’re. I like the way you cheat at chess.”

Chapter 25: Escaped, Hiding Relationships: None (pre Frank Castle/Dick Grayson) Fave Quote: The wolves break into Frank’s cabin at dawn and steal his breakfast, expressing their general displeasure by ensuring that he, too, is generally displeased.

Chapter 29: Too Weak to Move, Overworked Relationships: None (pre Clint Barton/Bruce Banner) Fave Quote: “You’re doing the thing,” Clint says. And then, unhelpfully, he gestures at Bruce. “I am doing,” Bruce repeats, looking down at himself, checking for anything askew or amiss, “the thing.”

Bruce being in his early 20s >>> Bruce being mid to late 20s/Early 30s when he takes in Dick (or adopts, depending on the run or continuity)

Not only just in general but also thematically and story wise.

Like a big part of Bruce and Dick's relationship and the complexity & struggles of it comes from them thinking/treating each other more as siblings for a large part of their time together. And how they slowly start transitioning into roles of parent and child while still knowing each other as siblings but loving each other as 'father and son'.

I personally think it's seen best in the years leading up to Dick being benched, and then fired, and leaving cause Bruce goes very overbearing/parental (?). Like that was when most of the mutual and non-mutual unintended harm that defines a lot of the development of their relationship happened.

(If I'm being honest I think me and my older sisters having 10+ year age gaps with my youngest siblings (and nephews) help me understand their (Bruce and Dick's) relationship more.

I think it's the same reason why I'm more able to understand the siblings bond that was acquired by Damian and Dick because of Bruce's 'death', as someone who basically raised their youngest siblings and had them address me as their parent.

Though it's important to note that Damian and Dick being aware, even if begrudgingly, that they were siblings is a key factor that plays into how they interact and why they operated the way they did/do.)

History

Club Harlem was founded in 1935 by Leroy "Pop" Williams on the site of a dance hall called Fitzgerald's Auditorium.[a] Williams was a medical student at University of Pennsylvania when he managed to acquire enough money to buy Fitzgerald's; he left college after becoming the owner of the nightclub.[2] Williams gave the new nightclub the name of the Manhattan neighborhood because "a lot of black people live there".[3][4] The district, known as "Kentucky Avenue and the Curb", had become the home for African Americans in the racially segregated city since the end of World War I.[5] The new nightspot joined other popular black entertainment venues in the district such as Grace's Little Belmont, the Wintergarten, and the Paradise Club.[5] Along with Harlem's Cotton Club, it was a place for the moneyed set to enjoy an evening of African-American entertainment.[6] When the club opened in 1935, there were slot machines along with a basketball court on the top floor of the building.[7] In the 1940s the club became known as Clifton's Club Harlem.[8]

Club Harlem in 1940

In July 1940, Club Harlem, Little Belmont, the Paradise Club, and the Wonder Bar were targeted in a midnight raid by police officers, accompanied by the newly elected mayor, Tom Taggart, seeking proof of illegal gambling activities.[b] The police confiscated "three truckloads of gambling paraphernalia" and arrested 32 club owners and employees, then shut down the four clubs.[10] The next day the clubs were open for business as usual.[11][12][c]

In 1947, showman Larry Steele introduced an all-black revue called Smart Affairs to Club Harlem. The elaborate show, featuring 40 to 50 acts including comedians, singers, showgirls, chorus lines, and dance numbers, was headquartered at the club through 1970, and also toured throughout the United States and abroad between the 1940s and 1960s, including venues in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Adelaide, Australia, and Toronto, Canada.[14][15] The budget for the "Smart Affairs" shows ran as high as US$35,000 per week. The shows were on a par with Broadway productions.[16] Smart Affairs productions grossed between $400,000 and $500,000 annually by the early 1960s.[14] Steele also founded the Sepia Revue and Beige Beauties chorus lines at the club.[14] Entertainer Lola Falana was discovered by Sammy Davis, Jr. while working in Club Harlem's chorus line.[17]

In 1951 Williams and his brother, Clifton Williams, brought in other partners, including Ben Alten of the Paradise Club.[4][d] By 1954, Williams and Alten owned the Club Harlem and the Paradise Club, operating both under joint ownership.[18][e] The club employed 200 people in 1964. Its busiest time was during the tourist season from mid June to Labor Day.[19] Alten described the club's most profitable time as being between 1959 and 1977. On the weekends, between 20 and 25 buses from areas in the Northeastern United States arrived, bringing guests who wanted to see the club's shows.[2]

By 1968, Williams began having difficulty booking some African-American entertainers into the venue. He wrote an open letter to baseball star Jackie Robinson, who had a regular column in the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper. The entertainers in question did not want to work at venues catering to African Americans.[20] After the death of Pop Williams in 1976, Alten's new business partner was businessman Calvin Brock.[2] Alten and Brock refurbished the club, but business was never as good as it was in the past.[2]

Description

Club Harlem was outfitted with two lounges and a main showroom seating over 900.[4] A cocktail lounge had room for 400 guests with continuous entertainment available. The club was equipped with seven bars;[2][16] the front bar alone accommodated nearly 100 people.[21] Guitarist Pat Martino recalled in his biography: "In the front room at Club Harlem you had two stages for two different groups. Willis Jackson would do forty minutes, and then Chris Columbo's band would do forty minutes. They'd split sets all night long. And in the large back room you had singers like Sammy Davis with an orchestra. That was an incredible place".[22] Weekends at Club Harlem started on Friday night with the two bands alternating sets; the music kept going until Monday morning.[2]

Shows

For more than 50 years, the Harlem was the place in Atlantic City to see the best shows, hear the best musicians and have the best time.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 28, 1987[3]

The club scheduled matinees, nighttime shows, late-night shows, and a 6 a.m. "breakfast show" during the summer tourist season.[3][23][24] The music played from 10 p.m. Saturday night to 6 a.m. Monday morning.[3] "Celebrities, politicians, and tourists" often arrived in the early morning hours after the clubs on the white side of town had closed, and white performers such as Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, and Lenny Bruce would go up on stage.[3][25][26]

Top-name black musicians also dropped by "to jam and develop their skills".[24] Musician Kelly Swaggerty, who was with Tadd Dameron's band at the time, remembered a jam session with Clifford Brown, Art Farmer and Joe Gordon that began at the Paradise Club and was continued at Club Harlem as the musicians wanted to continue playing.[27][f] Long time Atlantic City disc jockey Pinky Kravitz recalled that by 3 a.m., there were up to 1,000 people in line, waiting for the breakfast show to begin. In addition to the show itself, any celebrities sitting in the audience were called up to the stage and would perform.[17][29]

Drummer Chris Columbo, who conducted the club's orchestra for 34 years,[24][30] remembered that the early morning shows were the most vibrant because the other clubs in town were closed and many of those who were appearing at them were now at Club Harlem jamming with the club's musicians.[3][25] Johnny Lynch was in charge of the house band of 14 musicians, which was integrated. The band was well regarded among musicians. It was said that if you were in the Club Harlem band for the summer, you were a fine musician. Young men who wanted to become professionals often quit their regular jobs in summer to play with the Lynch band.[2]

The leading black entertainers of the day appeared at Club Harlem, including comedians Dick Gregory, George Kirby, Moms Mabley, and Slappy White; singers Cab Calloway, Billy Daniels, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Ethel Waters; and jazz musicians Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Wild Bill Davis, and Duke Ellington.[24][31] Daniels first performed his signature song "That Old Black Magic" at Club Harlem in 1942.[3] Guitarist Pat Martino has stated that as a younger man he would play at Smalls Paradise in New York City for six months and then perform in the summer at the Club Harlem.[32] Racism, however, prohibited many of these performers from appearing at clubs on the south side of town, where white families lived. However, in the 1950s Frank Sinatra came from the 500 Club to Club Harlem to perform with Sammy Davis, Jr., and sang with Davis, a member of the Rat Pack, back at the 500 Club.[31] Lonnie Smith recorded a live album, Move Your Hand, at Club Harlem in 1969.[33] Even in its waning years in the 1970s, Club Harlem continued to attract contemporary black stars such as Harry Belafonte, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Redd Foxx, Marvin Gaye, Leslie Uggams, and Dionne Warwick.[34]

Dude I be lost of what to read first in your Hopes For a Bastard Universe. To me it’s like trying to figure out what comic to read first in DC Comics. Anyway is there a particular order or do I just read whatever order I please?

Hello,

The Hopes for a Bastard Universe is expanding and growing. And as it grows I’ll attempt to keep an updated post for where everything is taking place and when. Here’s the chronological order of events for all the stories (This Does NOT List The One Shots And Spoilers On Tumblr!), here’s the list:

Rooftop Dances Trilogy - Jive (WIP): The boy is the key to the city as the Cat and Bat find themselves hopelessly entangled in a childhood enemy. Racing the clock to save a particular baby bird.

Main Characters: Bruce W. (25), Selina K. (25), Dick G. (10), Clark K. (22)

Pairings: Bruce/Talia (past), Bruce/Selina

Arrow Family - Oceans Away (WIP): Oliver came home and found himself on a mission to save his city and the little guy. He did not expect coming home to be the hard part of this. Or that his city would be facing a threat larger than he could handle alone.

Main Characters: Oliver Q (27), Felicity S. (26), J. Diggle, Roy Harper (17)

Pairings: Oliver Q./Felicity S.

Rooftop Dance Trilogy - Quickstep (TBA): The shadows were restless as a blast from Bruce’s past walked into town. Talia al Ghul has returned, and the threats that follow have targeted a particular Cat.

Main Characters: Bruce W. (31), Selina K. (31), Jason T. (11), Talia al Ghul

Pairings: Bruce W./Selina K., Bruce W./Talia al Ghul

Rooftop Dance Trilogy - Waltz (TBA) - The Cat runs from a crossed client and finds herself tripping over a new bird. Mystery drags her down as a bird drags her back to the Bat, and a murderer closes in on her new bird.

Main Character: Bruce W. (35), Selina K. (35), Timothy D. (11), Dick G. (20), Barbara G (22)

Pairings: Bruce W./Selina K., Dick G./Barbara G.

Rewrite the Stars - Make a Wish on a Shooting Star (WIP): Dick remembered when she crashed here, and how she had stood tall and regal in all her fiery glory. And he remembered thinking that she was everything he did not wish for. However, she was everything he needed to be whole again after all the loss.

Main Characters: Dick G. (21), Koriand’r, Barbara G. (23), Raven (15-16), Timothy D. (12), Wally W. (22), Roy H. (24), Garth (21)

Pairings: Dick G./Barbara G., Dick G./Koriand’r, Wally W./Jinx

Hopes for a Bastard Series - Give Me Back My Mind! (COMPLETE): There’s a reason people don’t go into Raven’s room, aside from it being her space. Red X was unaware of this when he was contracted to acquire a few magical items. Now Raven’s after him.

Main Characters: Raven (19), Jason T. (20), Damian W. (9-10), Dick G. (24), Tim D. (15), Bruce W. (40)

Pairings: Dick G./Koriand’r, Bruce W./Selina K.

Flash Family - Run of Your Life (WIP): It’s the first weekend she’s had off without Barry hovering over her, or her family watching her like a hawk. Now it’s just her, her cravings for Big Belly Burger, and her fourteen year old grandson; how awkward could that be? Apparently very awkward. Is that Amunet?

Main Characters: Iris W. (30), Bart A. (14), Barry A. (30), Wally W. (25)

Pairings: Barry A./Iris W.

Hopes for a Bastard Series - Rock Meet Bottom (COMPLETE): So he’s, maybe, kind of, slightly in over his head… But How the hell was he supposed to know they were sending Deadshot after him!? Also, why are all these Bats coming to his defense in his war? And what the hell was that?

Main Characters: Raven (19), Jason T. (21), Damian W. (10), Dick G. (24), Bruce W. (40), Jon K. (9-10)

Pairings: Bruce W./Selina K.

Flash Family - Chemistry (WIP): It’s the Winter Formal, he’s just taking a friend because he feels that Bart’s in need of feeling normal. It wasn’t like it was a date or anything, nothing could come of this.

Main Characters: Bart A. (14), Jaime R. (15)

Pairings: Bart A./Jaime R.

Hopes for a Bastard Series - Holiday Express Shipping (COMPLETE):There is but one sentiment which sums up the hell he’s found himself trapped in: It’s the Holidays, We’re All Miserable. He’s still trying to figure out how to escape, the Bats are doing the family thing, the Amazons are here, and so is the Queen of Hell, and, is that Roy Harper pulling up with a rusted out POS? What The Fuck Is Going On?

Main Characters: Raven (19), Jason T. (21), Bruce W. (40), Selina K. (40), Dick G. (24), Timothy D. (15), Damian W. (10), Roy Harper (26), Cass C. (20), Stephanie B. (16), Terry M. (1), Helena W. (0.1), Lian H. (0.3)

Pairings: Bruce W./Selina K., Dick G./Koriand’r

Arrow/Flash Family - Parent Trap (WIP): This is bad, so bad! Oh she’s so grounded! But she’s in more trouble if she’s never born. Troubles with time travel and parents who don’t like each other!

Main Characters: Wally W. (26), Artemis C. (23), Irey W. (7), Oliver Q. (37), Barry A. (31), Iris W. (31)

Pairings: Wally W./Artemis C., Oliver Q./Felicity S., Barry A./Iris W.

Hopes for a Bastard Series - I’ve Got the Umbrella (WIP): He knew it! There was NO way that this should have been this easy. And HOLY SHIT! That’s his head! That’s an axe! Time to call the little bird! They are in over their heads! There’s an Amazon, a clone, and is that… nope, uh-uh, no. Just no. He quits!

Main Characters: Raven (20), Jason T. (22), Roy H. (27), Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, Bizarro

Pairings: Bruce W./Selina K.

Batlings Universe/Hopes for a Bastard Series - Welcome to the Chaos (WIP): Interdimensional collisions of the multiverse happened when Ingram Alfred Wayne’s powers ignite, dragging him and his father into another dimension and tearing that dimension’s seal. The demons are now coming, and of course it’s the week before the Biggest Wedding Of The Century!

Main Batling Characters: Damian Wayne (29), Raven (30), Casimir Wayne (4), Raynor Wayne (2), Fawke Wayne (2), Ingram Wayne (0.8)

Batling Pairings: Damian W./Raven

Main Hopes for a Bastard Characters: Raven (20), Jason T. (22), Damian W. (11), Terry M. (2), Lian H. (1), Helena W. (1), Mar’i G. (1)

Rewrite the Stars/Hopes for a Bastard Series - Written in the Stars (TBA): It’s The Wedding Of The Century! Richard J. Grayson will finally be exchanging vows with the love of his life, Koriand’r of Tamaran and nothing is going to stop them! Except maybe the Prince of Tamaran?

Main Characters: Dick G. (26), Koriand’r, Karras, Bruce W. (42), Selina K. (42), Jason T. (22), Timothy D. (17), Duke T. (16), Damian W. (12), Terry M. (2), Helena W. (1), Mar’i G. (1), Raven (20), Donna T., Wally W. (27), Garth (26), Karen D., Roy H. (28)

Pairings: Dick G./Koriand’r, Bruce W./Selina K., Wally W./Artemis C., Garth/Dolphin

If you’re just interested in Jason’s story I recommend starting at Give Me Back My Mind! It’s a solid starting point even as I clean up it’s errors and mistakes for this timeline.

And seriously, if there’s other Super Families people wish to know about in this universe just ask. If anyone has any questions then don’t hesitate to ask.

The “Let’s Save Laurel Lance Fanfic Series”, Part 4: Saving Laurel Lance

Barbara laid the false Dinah face on the table in the batcave, showing Bruce and Dick the evidence of her and Nyssa’s discovery. “Look familiar?”

Bruce closely examined the residue of the face, understanding that the face wasn’t made of human tissue. “Clayface.” “What?” Dick questioned, not understanding. Bruce explained, “It was one of my first cases. Before you were here.” Bruce swiftly moved over to the batcomputer, typing in the info, sifting through his computer files. Barbara continued the explanation. “Dad investigated the case. An actor named Basil Karlo was a hired impersonator by Roland Dagget to steal secrets from competing companies. He paid Karlo in his experimental face cream, which covered his aging, so he could continue to perform as an actor. But Dagget didn’t inform him that extended use caused degradation of the skin underneath. His face was decayed and he was fired by the studio. He snapped, stole Dagget’s cream and used it to impersonate multiple people, including Batman, as he killed the studio’s highest acclaimed actors.” Bruce continued typing, finishing, “I stopped him when he eventually went after Dagget and got them both caught. But in the past few years, Dagget’s cream has been sold by the scientist that made it on the streets. Practically a drug. I’ve been looking into it, pinpointing the location of the seller, based on various accounts of the buyers. If we can find the scientist…” “He might be able to tell us where the person that bought it is.” Dick stated. Barbara then stated, “I’ll call Nyssa. Tell her to be ready.” ————————————- “Please don’t hurt me!” The scientist yelled out, after he’d just witnessed Batman, Batgirl and Robin smash through the windows of his apartment. Barbara confronted him first, intensely making the issue known. “You sold your facial to a someone around the date of April 8th of this past year! Where are they?!” The man went for a knife in his side pocket and Barbara quickly grabbed his arm, twisting it around to his back, slamming him face down onto his kitchen table. Barbara took a moment to take in a deep breath, calming herself, then speaking in the calmest voice possible, “Tell me now or I break your wrist.” The scientist wailed out, “How should I know?! I don’t keep tabs on everyone who buys from me!” Barbara began to twist his wrist. “What about a woman? She would be early to mid 20’s likely. Possibly dark hair. Asian.” The man began to scream as the pain in his wrist increased. “Batgirl.” Bruce sternly protested. But Barbara persisted. She knew what she was doing. Twisting ever so slightly. Finally, the scientist gave in. “I think I know who you’re talking about! She had me deliver it to an address in Keystone! I still remember it!” Barbara released his wrist. “Grab a pen and pad. Write it down.” She stated intently. He did as he was told and gave the address to Barbara, who took it. Bruce walked up to the scientist, asking, “Where’s your lab?” The scientist, holding his hurt wrist, said, “In my spare bedroom. Over there.” He nodded to the door in the corner. Bruce signaled Dick, who took a look, and found the lab. Bruce then told Dick, “Call Gordon, tell him we found the dealer of Roland Dagget’s face cream.” “Let’s go.” Barbara stated, as Bruce cuffed the scientist to his radiator and Dick called Gordon with his communicator. Bruce stepped over to Barbara, asking, “Don’t you think this seems convenient? You get a call from Dinah out of nowhere and the buyer is dumb enough to have the cream delivered to them personally.” Barbara attempted to defend, “She could’ve gotten free long enough to call and there’s any number of reasons the buyer could’ve wanted it delivered.” Bruce corrected with, “Not someone whose detail oriented enough to pull this off without anyone discovering it.” Barbara stated, “Even you mess up sometimes. She made a mistake and we can use it.” Bruce stated again, “Maybe. But we can’t rush in with maybe. Too many variables. Give us time to map the area and we’ll do it tomorrow.” Bruce extended his hand for the paper with the address on it. Barbara knew better than to argue with him, so she agreed. “Fine.” And handed him the paper, before exiting the residence. ——————————————— Barbara landed across the street from the address. Bruce never took her eidetic memory into account. Nyssa landed behind her. “Where are the others?” She asked. Barb responded with, “Batman insisted that we wait, that it might be trap and required more examination. But I don’t want her to be held longer. Who knows why they took her and what they’ve been doing to her?” Babs turned around. “You’re the only backup I have now.” Nyssa gave her a questioning look, before replying. “I can’t fight.” Now it was Barbara’s turn to question. “What?” “I made an oath in Laurel’s name against violence.” Nyssa stated. Barb snapped back with, “Even to save her?! Violence is at its worst when used for the worst reasons. You can’t hide from what you can do. To do better, you use it for what’s right.” Nyssa took a moment. “Maybe Batman was right that we wait. If it’s a trap. Can you honestly tell me that… Dinah, alive or dead, would want you to get yourself killed trying to save her?” Barbara turned away from Nyssa, her back to her, letting the words sink in. “If she’s being hurt, I can’t just do nothing.” Nyssa spoke calmly. “Maybe you have to, to save her.” Barbara bowed her head, her voice raw. “When my mom died, I blamed myself, because she died in a car accident picking me up.  My dad blamed himself because he thought she’d been a victim of the dirty cops in the city trying to send a message, so he avoided me out of shame. I felt alone. I thought he hated me.” Barb tried to blink back the tears that began to flow from her eyes. “I was lost. Dinah was the one who showed me that hope existed. That I could be more… She helped me talk with my dad. Helped us grieve together… She helps people.” Babs wiped her tears away, choking up in her voice, then becoming more stern. “And she has a family that uses her to make themselves feel better when they break and need help. But when she breaks and needs it, she’s demonized. Her whole family has given up on her.” Barbara turned back to face Nyssa, face stone cold with resolve. “I won’t. She’s not disposable, or replaceable, or forgettable to me. She’s my hero. She’s always been the Black Canary to me.” Barb stepped up closer to Nyssa, staring into her eyes. “Think about that and tell me that I should let her be hurt more.” Nyssa’s eyes reflected the understanding of Barbara’s words and simply nodded in it, then saying, “We still need to be smart though. We get in, quietly, no violence and get her out. The siblings of silk are proficient fighters. We can’t risk engaging in a battle, regardless of my vow.” Nyssa takes in a breath, with the words, “It’s times like this when I wish I hadn’t disbanded the League. An army of ninjas would be beneficial at a moment like this.” Nyssa gave a small smirk to Barbara, who returned it. “I’ll scan the area for all entrances-” Barbara immediately registered the situation as Nyssa grabbed her neck for the tranq dart. Barb quickly pulled her batarang in preparation for a fight. But they got her too. Just under her chin. The only cleanly bare skin of her body in the suit. As she passed out, the thought occurred to Barbara that it wasn’t very tactical to keep half of your face bare when fighting crime now that she thought about it. ——————————————————– Barbara awakened, the fortune of a splitting headache making her regret it. A male voice echoed, “She’s awake, Sister.” Barbara’s vision cleared just in time to see an asian woman bring a samurai sword under her chin. Barb could feel that her cowl was still on. But not for long, as the male speaker, Brother, pulled it back, off of her face. The Sister registered her face for a brief second, then spoke, “You’re not Sara Lance.” Barbara cocked an eyebrow, mockingly saying, “I’m not? That’s a relief.” She let out a faux exasperated breath. Sister then pressed the sword slightly into her neck, just barely drawing blood. Barb flinched in pain, but kept her face stern. Sister continued, intensely saying, “The trap was meant for her. You’re with Nyssa Al Ghul, why is Sara Lance not with you?” Barbara took in a breath, understanding that Bruce was right. It had been a trap. But even if she’d known, she’d still have done something. It didn’t matter much at the end of the day. Just with the execution. The thought registered with Barbara that maybe this had all been a convoluted con. So, she decided to figure out the truth: “Why would Sara be here?” Sister stared at her for a second, then responding, “I instructed her sister Dinah Laurel Lance to contact her. It took months of hypnosis and brainwashing to get her to comply to that much. But she broke eventually. Everyone does.” Barbara blinked back a swelling of emotions from that statement, from more than a few things: The anger at the brainwashing. the relief that Dinah was alive and the question of why she called her. With a stare of determination, Barbara asked, “Where is Dinah? Why’d you fake her death, just to have her phone Sara?” Sister turned Barbara’s head with her sword to look into the corner of the room, where she saw Dinah chained up, conscious, but completely unresponsive. Barbara turned her head away back up to Sister. “ Let her go!” Barb yelled out in anger. Sister dropped the sword away from Barbara. “It was really as simple as waiting for the right moment to take her. After that, Ms. Lance was very stubborn. It took a yellow pill that we acquired from the remnants of Hive to make her compliant. Even then she insisted that Sara was time traveling under the name White Canary. I was concerned that her mind had fractured under the drug, hypnosis and torture, so I told her to call her sister. But you’re not Sara.” Barbara seethed as she looked back over at Dinah, recognizing the eyes of her friend nearly dead to the world. Glaring up at Sister, Barbara, continuing the questioning, “So you tortured Dinah just to what?! Kill Sara?! Dinah did nothing to you!” Sister smirked. “Are all Americans so simplistic in their revenge?” Sister walked over to Dinah chained to the wall. “After the yellow pill made Ms. Lance malleable, she was easily trained.” Sister unhooked the chains from around Dinah’s wrists. “I made her into an instrument of death, like me and my brothers. Sara was supposed to be here and would’ve been forced to battle her sister who was trying to kill her. Making it so she either kills her sister herself or the last thing she sees is her face as she’s killed. If she’d lived, she’d practically beg me to kill her. And I’d be merciful. But you caused a hiccup in my plan. It doesn’t matter.” Sister handed her samurai sword to Dinah, who took it. “I’ll find her. But there’s no harm in making certain she can finish Sara off if the time comes. We haven’t had her kill anyone yet.” Sister looks to Dinah. “Dinah Laurel Lance. Kill her.” Dinah immediately responded to Sister’s voice, lifting the sword, as she approached Barbara. She paused when her eyes fully landed on her uncowled face, a glisten appearing in her eyes. Barbara saw it. She saw Dinah register her. She saw her. “Dinah? It’s me. I’m here. I came to save you.” Dinah snapped out of the emotion she was feeling, brushing off the distinct control of herself trying to claw back into control. And she brought the sword to Barbara’s throat. Barbara held her breath, trying to choke back the tears that were coming to her eyes. “Please don’t do this! The drugs are just chemical suggestion! You can break it. I know you don’t wanna be this. You’re strong enough to fight it.” Tears began to run down Barb’s cheeks, as she forced herself to look back into Dinah’s eyes, despite the fear of not seeing her best friend in there. “I don’t want my best friend to kill me. Please…” She pleaded, her voice choking, as she stared into Dinah’s eyes. Dinah eye’s caught hers and she stared back for just a second. Barbara saw the tears flow from Dinah’s eyes, as she blinked them back, shaking her head only slightly… Dinah’s face straightened, as she took in a deep breath of relief and looked right back into Barbara’s eyes, her best friend’s eyes, and showed her with a small smile that she was her again. Barbara knew it and returned the small smile as subtley as she could. Sister spoke from behind Dinah, coming up directly behind her, angry at the holding off of her order. “Kill. Her. Now.” Dinah’s eyes shifted down to Barbara’s hands bound to the chair. Barbara calmly closed her eyes in response, understanding the meaning. Dinah lifted the samurai sword and brought it down by Barbara’s hand slicing right through her bonds. And just as quickly brought the butt of the sword into Sister’s face. As Barb threw her elbow behind her to hit the Brother in the stomach. Dinah swiped the sword into the above head light bulb, smashing it, dropping darkness over the room. It gave Barbara time to unstrap her other hand and legs. She felt her hand be taken, knowing it was Dinah and let her lead her out of the room, closing the door to the room, just as they saw Sister recognize them escaping. Dinah locking it from the outside. Barbara turned to face Dinah and hugged her, as tight as she possibly could, burying her face into her shoulder, blinking back tears of joy, thanking God so much for this. “You’re actually alive.” Dinah patted her on the back, holding her as well, smiling. “I won’t be for very long with how you’re hugging me.” Barbara chuckled and let go, stepping back. “I’ve really missed you.” Dinah took in a breath of the whole situation, before simply saying, “I missed you too.” Babs took a look back and forth through the hallway they now stood in, then looking back to Dinah. “Do you happen to know where they’re holding Nyssa?” Dinah did a double take. “What? Nyssa’s here?” Barbara nodded. “No then.” Dinah thought for a moment. “I have an idea. The indoctrination room. That’s what they called where they’d pump me with… those… pills to keep me compliant.” Dinah looked down, almost feeling shame at being force fed pills. Barbara read her face, understanding her conflict, saying, “We’ll talk about it when we’re out of here.” She took Dinah’s hand, comfortingly. Dinah nodded, then switching gears into determination. “We need to save Nyssa first.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Please review!

► Bruce Wayne

Batman is the superhero protector of Gotham City, a man dressed like a bat who fights against evil and strikes terror into the hearts of criminals everywhere. In his secret identity he is Bruce Wayne, billionaire industrialist and notorious playboy. Although he has no superhuman powers, he is one of the world's smartest men and greatest fighters. His physical prowess and technical ingenuity make him an incredibly dangerous opponent. He is also a founding member of the Justice League and the Outsiders.

As a young child, Bruce Wayne watched his parents murdered before his eyes. Thomas and Martha Wayne were walking home from the Monarch Theater one night with their son, when they were held up at gunpoint by a mugger who demanded the pearl necklace that Martha was wearing. When Dr. Wayne refused to surrender it, both he and Martha were shot dead in the streets. The killer was a criminal known as Joe Chill. Fortunately, physician and social worker Leslie Thompkins was making a house call that night, and arrived to give loving comfort to the traumatized Bruce. He was then raised on the Wayne Manor estate, with help from the wise and loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Bruce had very few friends during his childhood.

Bruce Wayne swore an oath to rid the city of the evil that had taken his parents' lives. He spent his youth traveling the world, training himself to intellectual and physical perfection and learning a variety of crime-fighting skills, including chemistry, criminology, forensics, martial arts, gymnastics, disguise, and escape artistry.

At age 14, Bruce Wayne began his global sojourn, attending courses at Cambridge, the Sorbonne, and other European universities. However, he never stayed long and would often drop out after one semester. Beyond academia, Wayne successfully acquired various "practical" skills. While abroad, he studied and received training in multiple martial arts under various instructors and in different countries, man-hunting under Frenchman Henri Ducard,[4] stealth and reconnaissance under the Japanese ninja Kirigi and other certified shinobi, hunting under the African Bushman (the Ghost Tribes of the Ten-Eyed Brotherhood, among others), hand-to hand combat under the tutelage of Ted Grant, a World Champion Boxer and David Cain, one of the world's premier assassins; traditional healing disciplines under Nepalese monks and even ventriloquism under skilled practitioners [8]. Bruce was also trained in archery by Oliver Queen. At the age of 17, Bruce was trained by detective Harvey Harris to improve his detective skills. At age 20, he attempted to join the FBI, but after learning about its regulations and conduct, Wayne deducted that he would never be able to completely oppose crime while working within the legal system.

Bruce Wayne returned to Gotham City after many years of study and training with his body and mind developed to perfection. Despite having all of the skills and methods to fight crime, he still felt that there was something missing in the completion of his physical and mental arsenal. Wayne discovered the answer late one night while sitting in his manor. He recalled his fear of bats as a child after a large one crashed through one of the windows; he ultimately decided to make his appearance resemble a bat's. Wayne designed himself a costume equipped with experimental technology and set out against the crime and corruption that thrived in Gotham City.

Wayne's tactics to oppose crime as a vigilante at night proved successful leading him to become an urban legend in Gotham City. He revealed himself at a dinner of the most influential and corrupt figures in Gotham City and promised them all that their reigns on the city would eventually end. Wayne's first ally was assistant district attorney Harvey Dent. Most of the Gotham City Police Department was sent in force to capture him. He gained his most powerful ally when he met police lieutenant James Gordon, one of the few honest cops on the force. The two developed a working relationship operating outside of the law when they needed to.

There are several stories of the first time Batman met Superman, the greatest of his friends and allies. In the first version, Superman came to Gotham viewing Batman as a dangerous criminal and attempted to arrest him for his vigilante tactics. They were forced to work together tracking down the dangerous psychopath Magpie, and Superman realized that although his own style of crime-fighting was suitable for his environment, the Bat-Man did what he needed to do to protect his city. They both gained respect for each other, although they doubted they would ever work together again. In another version, they both met as Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent while they were forced to share a room on a cruise ship. They are made aware of each other's secret identities when both are called upon to fight threats including Deathstroke and the Crime Syndicate.[36] Superman later introduced him to Wonder Woman when they teamed up against Ra's al Ghul and Bizarro, and she disliked Batman at first for his methods. She later gained respect for him after they fought together as a team for the first time. There was a great team-up between many heroes to fight the alien Appellaxian invaders, including these three along with Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. Eventually they would decide that they could better protect the planet if they permanently joined forces... and they became the Justice League of America.

Bruce Wayne was on an excursion to the circus when he witnessed another tragedy that would shape his life. The parents of a young acrobat named Dick Grayson were murdered by the gangster Tony Zucco. He saw both great potential and something of himself in the boy that night. Although Bruce knew he could never replace Dick's father, he adopted Grayson as his legal ward to help him and provide guidance where he didn't have any when he was that age. He eventually revealed his secret identity as Batman. Dick wanted justice for his parents, and he agreed to a regiment of rigorous physical and mental training so that he could become Batman's partner. After several months Dick was finally ready to take to the streets as Robin, fighting crime alongside his mentor. They swore an oath late one night that they would fight together against crime and corruption, never swerving from the path of righteousness. Batman had realized for the first time that he did not have to be alone in his crusade.

When Bruce was invited to the Million Dollar Masquerade Ball, Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Barbara crashed the party in a female version of Batman's costume to surprise her father, who was also attending the event. At the party, before she revealed herself to Gordon, Killer Moth and his henchmen crashed the party, gunning for Bruce Wayne. James Gordon was taken out quickly so Barbara decided to step in. Bruce Wayne was previously shoved out of the way by Barbara so that she could protect him and her unconscious adoptive father, thinking that Bruce was but a helpless bystander. She defeated Killer Moth, breaking a heel in the process. She was later named Batgirl by Killer Moth, which stuck, even though she stated that she would have preferred Batwoman. Directly after the confrontation with Killer Moth, Batgirl met Batman and Robin. Batgirl's first encounter with Batman and Robin proved to be unpleasant. While she was angry with Batman's automatic dismissal of her capabilities, she was repulsed by Robin having a romantic interest in her. Soon after that, Batgirl attempted to swing from rooftops, being saved by Robin, who told her that regular rope is not good for diving from forty feet in the air. Later, Robin sent Batgirl equipment, pretending that he believed in her and Batman didn't. In reality, Robin was sending them on the orders of Batman. She was later captured by Batman and Robin to be tested, an examination she failed in Batman's eyes, not being able to save the innocents in a holographic containment chamber. Batgirl later teamed up with Black Canary, her idol, and she finally gained some respect from Batman, while Robin still harbored a crush on her. She was introduced to James Gordon as Batgirl, one of Batman's protégés.

Struggling against the League of Assassins, Batman met the beautiful Talia al Ghul when he rescued her from Doctor Darrk. Ra's al Ghul determined his secret identity through logical deduction and confronted him after Talia had been kidnapped again alongside Robin. Realizing that Ra's was behind this as a personal test, Batman confronted him and fought his bodyguard Ubu. Ra's explained that he was making sure he had found a worthy successor in the detective, as Talia had fallen in love with him. Batman eventually came to the conclusion that Ra's is a dangerous criminal who must be stopped at all costs, and declared war on him.

Legends saw a new group of heroes form to fight against G. Gordon Godfrey after Justice League Detroit was disbanded, and they decided to form a new League together. Batman gathered Black Canary, Blue Beetle, Captain Marvel, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light, Guy Gardner, Martian Manhunter and Mister Miracle in the Secret Sanctuary to take leadership of them as a team. Maxwell Lord convinced the United Nations to grant them an international charter and they become Justice League International.

When Dick Grayson reached maturity, Bruce forced him to retire from the Robin persona. Shortly after this decision, Batman came across a young boy called Jason Todd, who had turned to crime out of necessity. Batman tried to help him by placing him at Ma Gunn's school, which was in fact a criminal hideout. Investigating Jason's background, Batman learned that the boy was an orphan. When Batman checked upon Jason, he realized the truth about the school and stopped the criminals with help from Jason, after which Batman took him under his wing and allowed him to become his new Robin.

Over time, Batman realized Jason was behaving more aggressive towards criminals and this violence wound up being the cause of the death of a criminal. When Jason became an inconvenience while fighting crime, Batman restricted him from going out as Robin. In the meantime, Joker had escaped from Arkham and Batman followed the trail of the madman to the Middle East, where he also found Jason. Batman learned that Jason was looking for his real mother and when their missions crossed, they worked together to foil Joker's plans. Although they couldn't capture the Joker, Jason was reunited with his mother, Sheila Haywood. Unfortunately, she was being blackmailed by the Joker and the Dynamic Duo had to separate to deal with a double threat by the madman. While Batman went on to stop a deadly cargo of Joker Venom, Robin tried to save his mother, but he was captured and beaten by the Joker.

After the death of Jason, Batman mourned his loss and became a loner for quite a while; stopping threats like the alien invasion, Mr. Freeze,[98] the League of Assassins, the Bonecrusher, Two-Face, and solving other minor cases. Batman also faced other strange incidents like the mysterious “Batman Killings”, the mystery of Tulpa, an ancient, dark and mystic ritual with help from the Demon, Etrigan, the threat of the Mud Pack, which resulted in the creation of the Ultimate Clayface, and finally he stopped the misguided vigilante Anarky. During one of his last acts as a loner, Batman was forced to take back Arkham Asylum from the many maniacs who had taken over the institution.

Following the death of Jason Todd, Batman became much more violent and aggressive while coping with the tragedy without someone to balance him out. A young man named Tim Drake figured out his secret identity using detective work, and determined that he needed a Robin to keep his darkness in check, just as Two-Face reappeared with new plans to kill the Dark Knight. Drake begged Dick Grayson to go back to his identity as Robin again when he was needed most. After explaining that he had deduced their identities by following Grayson's acrobatic career to Dick and Alfred Pennyworth, Tim was taken into the Batcave where it was suggested that he become the new Robin. Batman and Nightwing tracked down Two-Face, and he caught them in his underground death-trap. Tim took the Robin costume to rescue them and succeeded, although Batman argueed that he no longer needed a side-kick. Begrudgingly, as he proved himself and helped them defeat Two-Face, Bruce agreed to start training Tim Drake and take him on as his new crime-fighting partner.

Batman (at the onset of a personal psychological mid-life crisis) was forced to deal, in rapid succession, with the returning villain Black Mask and his gang (who targeted Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox), a crazed killer called Metalhead,, and a sharpshooter assassin hired by Vincent Morelli to murder Commissioner Gordon. Batman began to feel he had lost his edge, especially after his failure to capture Black Mask. He found himself unable to meditate or even focus. As Bruce Wayne, he contacted holistic therapist Shondra Kinsolving for treatment. He also assigned Tim Drake to train Jean-Paul Valley in detective work to aid them as an ally, hoping he could prevent him from becoming a villainous threat. Despite the advice of everyone in his life, including Dr. Kinsolving, Bruce refused to rest, and continued to pursue his self-imposed duty despite his worsening condition. Bruce's condition was worsened by The General usurping power in Gotham's underworld and assaulting a police station, Cypher attacking companies' CEOs and The Riddler creating chaos in Gotham. Meanwhile, Robin found it difficult to work with Jean-Paul, due to the man's violent subconscious training and lack of social skills, and also found himself being shut out from working alongside Batman.

Bane, a brilliant tactical mastermind who had trained his body to physical perfection, came to Gotham City and dedicated himself to destroying Batman and taking over his territory. This villain was more driven and powerful than anyone he had ever faced before, and wanted to prove himself by defeating and breaking Batman. At their first meeting, Bane did not introduce himself but said that his name would eventually make him beg for mercy. Batman suggested that if he was threatening him, he should get in line behind everyone else.

Bane began his assault by organizing a massive break-out at Arkham Asylum with the help of his henchmen Bird, Trogg and Zombie. Aware that he would lose in a direct assault against Batman, Bane's plan consisted of weakening Batman by forcing him to deal with the deadly villains simultaneously. Among the freed inmates, there were numerous high-profile villains, which Batman took down one by one. Batman faced against great criminals like Poison Ivy, the Joker and the Scarecrow, as well as many lesser known villains, such as the Mad Hatter, The Ventriloquist, Amygdala, Firefly, Cavalier, and Mr. Zsasz. The scenario created a rift in the relationship between Robin and Batman, as Batman irrationally sought to face the outbreak alone -- Robin later asked Batman if he was even needed as his sidekick anymore.

Batman became weaker and weaker as each criminal was put away. The rescue of Mayor Krol from the combination of the Joker and Scarecrow took Batman to his mental and physical limit: a dose of Scarecrow's fear gas made him relive the murder of Jason Todd, which he considered to be his greatest failure. After saving the Mayor, Batman was confronted by Trogg, Zombie and Bird and he took them out with the last amount of energy left in him. Bane finally confronted him by breaking into Wayne Manor when Batman was at his weakest, beating him nearly to death in his weakened state and breaking his spine. Bane took his body downtown to Gotham Square and threw it from a rooftop to demonstrate his superiority to the populace. With Batman incapacitated, Bane assumed control of Gotham City's underworld and took over several illegal operations within it.

Bruce investigated the evidence left behind by the kidnappers and with Oracle's help, he tracked them to the island of Santa Prisca. It was then that Bruce and Alfred started their quest to find Dr. Kinsolving and Jack Drake and upon arriving at Santa Prisca, Bruce acknowledged his love for Shondra.

Bruce reaffirmed his partnership with Tim, resolving the tension caused by Bruce's unwillingness to accept help during the Arkham prison break. Bruce passed the mantle of Batman to Dick Grayson so he could re-evaluate what it would take to restore his perceived aura of invincibility.

Because of previous events, considerable time passed before Commissioner Gordon restored his trust in the idea of a Batman working for good. Gordon could tell that he was not looking at the original Batman (based on Jean-Paul's costume and Dick's height, and the fact that Jean-Paul was more than ready to kill people), and he refused to place blind trust in a costume after spending so long learning to trust the man. Numerous loose ends were tied up during this time, with Killer Croc, the Ventriloquist, Ratcatcher and Two-Face, along with many other, less notorious released inmates being returned to prison. During his time as Batman, Dick avenged his worst mistake from his days as Robin, when a mistake in a confrontation with Two-Face caused a man to die and nearly killed Bruce. He also came to appreciate the incredible physical and mental burden Bruce placed on himself in donning the Batsuit. During this time, a firm bond arose between Dick and Tim as they shared Wayne Manor together in Bruce and Alfred's absence.

Bruce Wayne was called upon as Gotham's top citizen to speak on their behalf in front of the United States Congress in Washington, applying for federal assistance. His main competition was the ruthless and corrupt Senator Barclay Means. Nicholas Scratch also launched a smear campaign, attempting to convince America that the city wasn't worth saving. Bruce's testimony was a great speech delivered from the heart about the spirit of Gotham, its importance and the strong will of its people in dealing with adversity and helping to make the nation great. However, the negative sentiment was too great. There was not enough money in the federal budget, and they arrived at the conclusion that the negative elements would have to be isolated. Right before the ending of the trial, Mayor Grange was gunned down by an assassin. Everyone still living within city limits was given 48 hours to leave, excluding anyone with known connections to the criminal element. After that the bridges leading inside were destroyed, and the national guard was stationed to make sure that no one else got in or got out. Jeremiah Arkham was forced to release all the dangerously insane patients from Arkham Asylum into the streets.

In response, the U.S government declared Gotham a "no man's land," destroyed all bridges leading to Gotham and forbade people from entering or exiting. The city was swiftly carved up by gangs and various supervillains Batman had battled over the years. Jim Gordon and several members of the Gotham police department stayed behind to protect civilians. Oracle and Huntress also ended up on the inside. Bruce Wayne left the city to lobby the government not to cut Gotham off, but failed. Gordon and his men waited for Batman's return, but by the time he returned more than three months later, they believed he had abandoned Gotham.

Red Hood began terrorizing the Gotham underworld to enlist Black Mask's soldiers into his own organization, allowing the drug trade to continue under his control with stricter restrictions. Batman and Nightwing met him for the first time when he blew up a shipment of weapons on a boat they had taken down, chasing him until he released a stolen Amazo prototype to fight them. Together they improvised and destroyed the android by taking out his individual components, while Red Hood used the distraction to steal another shipment containing several hundred pounds of Kryptonite. Mister Freeze was sent to reclaim the merchandise and all four of them fought it out until the Red Hood left, saying this had been a ploy to get his lay of the land. Batman began investigating the possibility that he was Jason in disguise, talking to his friends with knowledge of resurrection including Green Arrow, Jason Blood and Zatanna. Superman helped him confirm that it realistically could have happened. Red Hood teamed up with Onyx, although he betrayed her when she tried to stop the murder of several criminals.

Having virtually eliminated all super-crime in Gotham with the energy from his recent vacation, Bruce went abroad. Alfred explained that he had become so consumed by Batman he forgot how to act as Bruce Wayne, and needed to relearn. At a charity function in London he met Jezebel Jet, an intelligent fashion model and ruler of an impoverished African nation whom he falls in love with immediately. The League of Assassins attacked Batman using a legion of ninjas transformed into Man-Bats by a serum stolen from Kirk Langstrom. Talia al Ghul took him prisoner and revealed that they had a son together she never told him about, introducing him to Damian Wayne. Bruce needed to take care of the child and teach him respect while he figured out Talia's plans, as Damian proved to be spoiled and petulant. Raised by the League, he was a master martial artist and proved extremely difficult to control, beating up Tim Drake and beheading the Spook to prove he could be Robin. Batman agreed to let Damian fight at his side rather than leave him alone, with the understanding that he would follow their no killing rules and obey orders. Talia was in Gibraltar, and they took the Bat-Rocket to get there before she could follow through with her terrorist attack. This turned out to have been an elaborate ploy to bring them together as a family, in the hopes that Bruce would return to her so they could put an end to all crime by ruling the planet together. Batman refused, so she declared war on him and they both disappeared during an explosion.

During a dinner date where she considered breaking up with him, Jezebel Jet was captured by a terrorist named the Fiend with Nine Eyes and discovered that Bruce was Batman when he rescued her.

The Black Glove invited Batman and Jezebel Jet to a dance of death called the Danse Macabre, having clearly discovered his secret identity. Doctor Hurt had organized villains and madmen from across the world including the Joker, Le Bossu and the Club of Villains to finally put an end to Batman. Robin believed that Bruce was slowly starting to lose his grip on reality, although Alfred insisted that there was no stronger mind in the world. Hurt announced to his team that they would be creating a work of art in the complete and utter ruination of a noble human spirit; Thomas and Martha Wayne were discredited through slander published in the Gotham Gazette and the Club was sent out to attack his allies. Bruce finally collapsed into a mental break-down when he heard the trigger phrase Zur-En-Arrh spoken aloud, and villains stormed the Batcave The attack completely destroyed his mind; he was injected with weapons grade crystal meth and street heroin and then woke up as an amnesiac derelict on the streets.

A homeless man named Honor Jackson took him in and gave him a small radio he believed to be the Bat-Radia, although this was a hallucination and Jackson had died of a drug overdose the previous day. Nightwing was captured by Scorpiana and taken to Arkham Asylum where Bossu planned to lobotomize him. Pierrot Lunaire and Swagman went after Robin. Bruce stitched a new costume called the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh with Bat-Mite as a spiritual guide. This was a contingency plan he had prepared in case there was ever a direct attack on his mind, a stream-lined back-up personality that existed as Batman without Bruce Wayne. Taking out criminals across the city at unheard-of speed, he defeated King Kraken and interrogated Charlie Caligula. Hurt began wearing Thomas Wayne's Batman Costume and claimed that he was the real Thomas Wayne, having faked his own death years ago. Jeremiah Arkham was beaten and the Black Gloves took over his asylum. Commissioner Gordon came to investigate Wayne Manor personally and found himself caught in one of El Sombrero's death traps.

Naturally, following the events of the Final Crisis that left the Batman Family without their leader, Batman's allies were in disarray, Gotham criminals took advantage of his absence, and the question stood, "Is Batman gone?" Feeling a combination of obligation and hesitation, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake-Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, and Damian Wayne debated as to what the future of the Dark Knight should be, until an estranged Jason Todd turned up, having taken a twisted cowl (reminiscent of Jean-Paul Valley's) for himself. Todd decommissioned an arrogant Damian, making Dick, Tim, and Alfred feel an even greater sense of urgency to send the Caped Crusader back on the streets. However, Dick still refused, prompting Tim to hijack an old Batsuit himself and seek out Jason and his twisted Batcave. Jason managed to defeat Tim and severely injure him, leaving only Dick and Jason as the heir to the cowl. As Alfred provided medical care for Damian and Tim was barely escaping with his life, Dick and Jason fought long and hard until Jason, vowing that he would see Dick "much sooner than you think," plummeted off of a moving train into the depths of the river below. The conclusion of this struggle found Dick accepting his role as the new Batman, with the darkest Robin yet, Damian, by his side. Tim, however, was far away from Gotham, believing that Bruce was not actually dead. He took the mantle of the Red Robin, and explored the globe for clues as to where his adoptive father was.

Trapped in the past with no memory, Bruce was forced to fight his way through time back to the present day. Darkseid used the Hyper-Adapter monster to aim him like a doomsday weapon through history, picking up Omega Energy until he reached the modern era and exploded. Rip Hunter and his Time Masters, including Booster Gold, Green Lantern and Superman became a time traveling search party to stop him from ending the world. Starting in the Prehistoric Era, he was given the name Man-of-Bats and defeated Vandal Savage's Blood Tribe in combat. This inspiration drove Anthro's people to call themselves the Bat Tribe.

Batman, in most of his incarnations, is a dark and grim hero with a personal vendetta against criminals. Traumatized by the death of his parents, Batman has sworn to rid Gotham from the criminal elements that took his parents from him. He is very paranoid and obsessive, which often makes it difficult for him to trust other people that aren't Alfred, the Robins, or the Batgirls.

Despite this, Batman has proved to have a great love for humanity, which was instilled by his parents. His father was a doctor, while his mother was a crusader against child abuse. Indeed, Batman's oath of vengeance is tempered with the greater ideal of justice. He refrains from killing, as he feels this would not make him any better than the criminals he fights. He is also a very prominent member of the Justice League and the founder of the Outsiders.

To protect his secret identity, Batman has constructed a fake persona he can use in his civilian identity. To the world at large, Bruce Wayne is a self-absorbed, superficial, irresponsible playboy and philanthropist. Only his closest allies know that this attitude is just an act.

Wayne guards his secret identity well, but several individuals know of his superhero alter-ego, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Lois Lane, The Flash (Jay Garrick, Barry Allen & Wally West), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Kyle Rayner & Alan Scott), Aquaman (Arthur Curry), The Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz), Plastic Man (Patrick "Eel" O'Brien), Starman (Thom Kallor), Vixen (Mari McCabe), Zatanna Zatara, Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce), Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance), Green Arrow (Oliver Queen), Arsenal (Roy Harper), Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Catwoman (Selina Kyle), Red Hood (Jason Todd), Red Robin (Tim Drake), Oracle (Barbara Gordon), Black Bat (Cassandra Cain), Robin IV (Damian Wayne), his butler Alfred Pennyworth, and the kindly doctor Leslie Thompkins.

Several villains have discovered his true identity over the years, most notably Ra's al Ghul, Hugo Strange, the Riddler, the Scarecrow, and Bane. Powers 

Indomitable Will: Although he has no superhuman powers, Batman's unstoppable determination and strength of will make him an extremely formidable opponent. This makes him able to function while tolerating massive amounts of physical pain, and also allows him to resist telepathy or mind control. His willpower is strong enough to operate a Green Lantern Ring when necessary.

Intimidation: It is widely known that Batman has the ability to instill fear in others, to the extent that even the people that know him best are intimidated by him. Batman regularly forces common criminals to flee in terror despite there being no evidence that he would actually kill anyone. Even those who aren't afraid of the likes of Superman fear Batman. His ability to inspire great fear made him eligible for induction into the Sinestro Corps, although he was able to fight off the power ring's control.

Interrogation: Batman is adept in interrogation techniques, often using law enforcement methods as well as torture. Several methods seen include hanging a person over the edge of a building by one leg or chaining a person upside down and beating them. He usually just uses his frightening appearance to get answers. Bruce summarized his methods with the statement: "Fear is an excellent motivator."

Peak Human Condition: Through intense training, a specialized diet, and biofeedback treatments, Batman represents the pinnacle of human physical prowess. His physical attributes exceeded that of an Olympic level athlete. His strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes and coordination are at peak human perfection. Batman began his physical and mental conditioning when he was 11 and then intense physical training and weight lifting at age 12. He had mastered full body control by the time he was 18. Bruce Wayne, since the age of 15, has followed a strict diet to enable his body to develop and operate at its most proficient, along with biofeedback treatments (using portable/non portable machines to stimulate muscles to contraction). Batman has performed amazing physical feats due to his superior physique. He engages in an intensive regular regimen of rigorous exercise (including aerobics, weight lifting, gymnastics, and simulated combat) to keep himself in peak condition, and has often defeated opponents whose size, strength, or other powers greatly exceeded his own. He has spent his entire life in pursuit of physical perfection and has attained it through constant intensive training and determination.

Peak Human Strength: Batman regularly bench-presses at least 1000 lbs. during his exercise routine. This allows him to be capable of amazing feats such as punching a SWAT officer through a brick wall. He's able to break thin steel handcuffs with his bare hands.

Peak Human Reflexes: Bruce's reflexes were honed to such a degree that he has caught one of Green Arrow's arrows in mid flight when he tried to shoot him. He has also been able to dodge point blank gunfire.

Peak Human Speed: He can run at speeds comparable to the finest competing athletes.

Peak Human Endurance: His endurance is comparable to that of the finest Olympic Decathlon participant. His lung capacity is so great that he could hold his breath underwater for 3 minutes and 15 seconds. He can survive in the airless vacuum of space for exactly 27 seconds.

Peak Human Stamina: At peak capacity, Batman can physically exert himself for only approximately an hour before the build up of fatigue toxins began to impair him.

Peak Human Agility: His agility is above than that of a Chinese acrobat and an Olympic gold medalist gymnast. His main phase of movement was Parkour which he learned in France and used to scale the city's rooftops or on widow buildings in an acrobatic manner.

Acrobatics: He is proficient in gymnastics and acrobatics.

Martial Arts: Bruce is well trained in multiple martial arts; he is known as the man who has mastered many forms of martial arts. His primary form of combat is an idiosyncratic admixture of Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Muay Thai, Dragon Style Kung Fu, Boxing, Jujitsu, Ninjitsu and Capoeira.

Weaponry: Through his martial arts training, he has become an expert on all melee weaponry. Wayne has displayed exceptional sword fighting capability and proficiency with knives, sticks[354] and various other weapons. He practices during his combat sessions to keep his skills intact, but he prefers unarmed combat.

Stealth: His Ninjutsu training has made him a master at stealth and capable of breaching high security facilities without being detected.

Marksmanship: Wayne is an expert marksman. He is skilled with throwing projectile weapons, archery and firearms. He has been practicing such skills since the early days of his training and is almost on par with the Green Arrow in terms of accuracy.

Genius Level Intellect: Batman is a brilliant, virtually peerless, detective, strategist, scientist, tactician, and commander; he is widely regarded as one of the keenest analytical minds on the planet. Given his lack of superpowers, he often uses cunning and planning to outwit his foes, rather than simply "out-fighting" them.

Polymath: He has studied Biology, Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Mythology, Geography and History. Bruce gained degrees in Criminal Science, Forensic Sciences, Computer Sciences, Chemistry and Engineering by the time he was 21. He had mastered Diverse Environmental Training, Security Systems, and illusion/sleight of hand by the time he was 23. He gained even more degrees in Biology, Physics, Advanced Chemistry, and Technology by the time he was 25. He has also learned Medical Sciences and Expanded Computer and Engineering Sciences.

Eidetic Memory: Batman has total recall and can remember anything in great detail.

Investigation: He is widely considered the World's Greatest Detective, capable of observation, forensic investigation, and inductive and deductive reasoning of the highest caliber. Human intuition is an unlearnable trait and one of Batman's most effective tools. Given any mystery, he can arrive at the correct conclusions with a fraction of the data.

Multilingualism: He is able to speak Spanish, French, Latin, German, Japanese, English, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek, Portuguese, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hindi, Thai, Farsi,[94] and possibly more.

Tactical Analysis: He commonly utilizes cunning tactics to outwit his foes, relying on his plans and experience to outmanoeuvre many of his superhuman friends and adversaries. Batman is known as one of the greatest strategists and tacticians in the universe.

Leadership: He is known for having great leadership. He is leader of the Outsiders, the Batman Family and Batman Incorporated. He is also in charge of his company, Wayne Enterprises.

Escapology: He has been described as second only to Mister Miracle as an escape artist. He has been seen escaping from a Posey straitjacket in less than 52 seconds, and remarked afterwards that the time was way too slow for his usual standards.

Driving: Bruce is proficient at driving many vehicles like cars, motor bikes and trucks, and he is also skillful at driving jets, helicopters, auto boats and small ships.

Tracking: Trained in hunting techniques by African Bushmen (the Ghost Tribes of the Ten-eyed Brotherhood, among others).

Disguise: Had mastered the art of disguise by the time he was 23.[citation needed] Had further learned expanded disguise techniques by the time he was 26, through various instructions from Alfred.[citation needed] Batman has many aliases he uses to infiltrate the underworld or just to go undercover in public situations. Among his various aliases are: Matches Malone, Thomas Quigley, Ragman, Detective Hawke, Sir Hemingford Grey, Frank Dixon, Gordon Selkirk, and Mr. Fledermaus.

Mechanical Aptitude: Proficient at combat driving. Has learned improved vehicle designs. Was trained and proficient in basic vehicles operations.

Mechanical Engineering: Capable of designing and creating suits of armor capable of outracing missiles and protecting the wearer from its detonation at point blank range. Also, designed and created a highly powerful suit of armor known as the Hellbat armor, the latest version of which was used by Lois Lane to gain the upper hand in a fight against a powered-up Eradicator, who had just defeated Superman.

Business Management: Bruce Wayne has extensive skills and experience in business management, has thorough understanding of financial marketing and management and is often seen as a example of a successful industrialist and businessman on a par with Lex Luthor.

Single-Mindedness: Batman's drive to protect Gotham has been used against him on several occasions, most notably when Bane decided to confront Batman only after wearing him down by destroying Arkham Asylum, knowing that his foe would try and capture all the escaped inmates himself and thus push himself to the brink of exhaustion.

Bruce Wayne rarely drinks alcohol. Dick Grayson has mentioned that he's seen Bruce drink less times than he can count on one hand. When Stephanie Brown died, he drank Purcell's 12-year-old bourbon.

Batman's online screenname is JonDoe297.

Bruce Wayne's favorite meal is Mulligatawny soup.

Verses

tba

[Bruce & Dick Panels] Outsiders #21 (2005)

When I first came across this issue, it was in one of those “sale” shelves. Apart from Batman himself, I wasn’t as intimitately familiar with the rest of the Batfamily just yet. The cover intrigued me, though, and a few pages in, I was sold.

In hindsight, it was ridiculously cheap for such a gem (plus, in fairly good condition)! It’s one of the first single issues I’ve ever bought, and one of the first to solidify my growing addiction to moments of Batfamily angst.

So, I guess the cover can clue you in about what this issue might be about, but here’s a little backstory (and some spoilers):

Outsiders #1 is set a while after the Titans parted ways following the loss of Lilith and Donna Troy (Wonder Girl). Roy Harper (Arsenal) approaches Dick Grayson (Nightwing) about forming a new team of superheroes. Dick, still brooding over their loss, is uninterested. It’s clear that he isn’t ready for the emotional burden of leading a team, then putting their lives at risk again. 

Roy reminds him why they formed the Teen Titans in the first place (to be heroes in their own right, and not just sidekicks), and that this time around, they didn’t have to be as emotionally invested as they used to be. They didn’t have to be a “family” like the Titans were, just a team.

Reluctant but convinced, Dick eventually becomes their leader.

Note: Now, if the “Outsiders” sound familiar to you, remember that Batman led his own version of the team?       

Anyways…

“So… who pays for this team?”

In the previous issue, Outsiders #20 (2005), following Metallo’s attack on the Outsiders’ headquarters, Indigo makes an incidental finding in the wreckage: the high-tech cables hidden in the building walls aren’t supplied by Optitron (the corporation they believe to be financing their vigilante operation), but by one with much deeper pockets…

Now, onto the current issue again (and a little more backstory):

“They keep close tabs, but they have allowed the team to be autonomous.”

Optitron, which was once merely a syndicated cable company, eventually acquires three of the largest cable companies in the world. As a way of giving back to the people for its immense success, the corporation becomes involved in global philanthropy. To step it up a notch, it funds a crime-fighting unit of superheroes (yes, the Outsiders). 

But…

Cue dramatic suspenseful music: *DUN-DUN-DUN DUUUUUUNNNN*

“He did this again. He always does this.”

And, by “this”, it’s safe to assume that he means Bruce - to put it lightly -  interferes. Ask any member of the Justice League - he’s notoriously controlling!

Now, you’d think that Dick would be more grateful, right? While other vigilantes conduct their operations in cramped hole-in-the-walls, worrying about their day jobs to carry on their night ones, he and his teammates are gettin’ paid. 

But, this is a father-and-son, not benefactor-and-beneficiary, kind of issue. It has nothing to do with money. As it usually is between Bruce and Dick, it’s a matter of principle.

So, brace yourself for some DramaTM, Wayne Manor style…

“What the hell is the matter with you? I mean, aside from the obvious!”

So, here’s Dick, dropping some heavy truth bombs…

Part of Bruce’s parenting style is to absorb his children’s rage (over him, over anything), then channel it into a teaching moment (eventually). As long as they’re not in the middle of a life-threatening scenario, he’ll hear them out. He’ll let them say what they want to say, how they want to say it.    

Then, he’ll seem detached and uncaring. But, see, he’s not exactly Mr. Heart-on-His-Sleeve. When you’ve become as hardened by years of pain and loss such as him, it becomes a habit to tuck any semblance of vulnerability away. 

It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love his children - he clearly does,1000% yes - but sometimes silence is all he has to offer. A moment to listen. A mind that isn’t racing towards the next case. Because he knows that there are problems a utility belt just can’t solve. (Plus, he’s not always the best at words when emotions are concerned.)

He has his moments when he’ll let his guard down, too. When he’ll act like their father-father, not just their mentor-father. A tight hug. An affectionate hair tousle. Forgoing patrol to watch a movie (*cough* Jason *cough*). The little things. Rare, perhaps, but they do happen.   

But, yeah, then there’s moments like this, too (where we’re extra thankful that Alfred’s around):

“As hard as it may seem, Dick, I saw the Outsiders as a good idea. I believed in you.”

Anytime Bruce keeps something from him, Dick gets hurt. Because he’s always thought highly of Bruce and the bond that they share is sacred to him.

Now, keep in mind that part of why Dick became Nightwing was to shed his sidekick persona. Much of his adult life has been spent trying to step out of Bruce’s shadow and become his own kind of superhero.  

So, understandably, he feels betrayed. In his mind, Bruce lied to him and is still closely keeping tabs on his endeavors. 

(That act of “omission” on Bruce’s part? I guess we can chalk it up to his habit of not-needing-to-explain-himself.)

For some reason, the next set of panels reminds me of that episode from the first season of Young Justice in which Bruce requests a private meeting with Kaldur’ahm (Aqualad) in which even Dick (then Robin) isn’t invited. Dick gets jealous and takes it out on the (concrete?) gym wall. By the end of the episode, Bruce makes it up to him by challenging him to a one-on-one basketball match - undivided attention! - which Dick gladly accepts. 

Bruce’s opinions matter very much to Dick, whether the latter agrees with them or not. In both instances (Young Justice and this issue), he’s expressing his insecurity (though, he seems to be denying it in the fourth panel). Where does he stand with Bruce? (A question which every Batfamily member has probably asked at least once in his or her life.) 

“You expect too much of me.”

Bruce. Ever the pragmatist. Always punishing himself with reminders of his failures, of people he wasn’t able to save.

And, Dick, ever the optimist. Always trying to give others the benefit of the doubt.

For the purpose of closure: At the end of the issue, we find out that it wasn’t actually Bruce who’s been giving Roy intel all this time, but Slade Wilson disguised as Batman.

Bruce and Dick… they’ll have these fits of rage, then calm down as if nothing happened. Neither needs to say “It was my fault” or “I love you” or whatever. It’s all just kind of understood somehow.  

Like, you know, a family.

The “Let’s Save Laurel Lance Fanfic Series”, Part 4: Saving Laurel

Barbara laid the false Dinah face on the table in the batcave, showing Bruce and Dick the evidence of her and Nyssa's discovery. "Look familiar?" Bruce closely examined the residue of the face, understanding that the face wasn't made of human tissue. "Clayface." "What?" Dick questioned, not understanding. Bruce explained, "It was one of my first cases. Before you were here." Bruce swiftly moved over to the batcomputer, typing in the info, sifting through his computer files. Barbara continued the explanation. "Dad investigated the case. An actor named Basil Karlo was a hired impersonator by Roland Dagget to steal secrets from competing companies. He paid Karlo in his experimental face cream, which covered his aging, so he could continue to perform as an actor. But Dagget didn't inform him that extended use caused degradation of the skin underneath. His face was decayed and he was fired by the studio. He snapped, stole Dagget's cream and used it to impersonate multiple people, including Batman, as he killed the studio's highest acclaimed actors." Bruce continued typing, finishing, "I stopped him when he eventually went after Dagget and got them both caught. But in the past few years, Dagget's cream has been sold by the scientist that made it on the streets. Practically a drug. I've been looking into it, pinpointing the location of the seller, based on various accounts of the buyers. If we can find the scientist..." "He might be able to tell us where the person that bought it is." Dick stated. Barbara then stated, "I'll call Nyssa. Tell her to be ready." ------------------------------------- "Please don't hurt me!" The scientist yelled out, after he'd just witnessed Batman, Batgirl and Robin smash through the windows of his apartment. Barbara confronted him first, intensely making the issue known. "You sold your facial to a someone around the date of April 8th of this past year! Where are they?!" The man went for a knife in his side pocket and Barbara quickly grabbed his arm, twisting it around to his back, slamming him face down onto his kitchen table. Barbara took a moment to take in a deep breath, calming herself, then speaking in the calmest voice possible, "Tell me now or I break your wrist." The scientist wailed out, "How should I know?! I don't keep tabs on everyone who buys from me!" Barbara began to twist his wrist. "What about a woman? She would be early to mid 20's likely. Possibly dark hair. Asian." The man began to scream as the pain in his wrist increased. "Batgirl." Bruce sternly protested. But Barbara persisted. She knew what she was doing. Twisting ever so slightly. Finally, the scientist gave in. "I think I know who you're talking about! She had me deliver it to an address in Keystone! I still remember it!" Barbara released his wrist. "Grab a pen and pad. Write it down." She stated intently. He did as he was told and gave the address to Barbara, who took it. Bruce walked up to the scientist, asking, "Where's your lab?" The scientist, holding his hurt wrist, said, "In my spare bedroom. Over there." He nodded to the door in the corner. Bruce signaled Dick, who took a look, and found the lab. Bruce then told Dick, "Call Gordon, tell him we found the dealer of Roland Dagget's face cream." "Let's go." Barbara stated, as Bruce cuffed the scientist to his radiator and Dick called Gordon with his communicator. Bruce stepped over to Barbara, asking, "Don't you think this seems convenient? You get a call from Dinah out of nowhere and the buyer is dumb enough to have the cream delivered to them personally." Barbara attempted to defend, "She could've gotten free long enough to call and there's any number of reasons the buyer could've wanted it delivered." Bruce corrected with, "Not someone whose detail oriented enough to pull this off without anyone discovering it." Barbara stated, "Even you mess up sometimes. She made a mistake and we can use it." Bruce stated again, "Maybe. But we can't rush in with maybe. Too many variables. Give us time to map the area and we'll do it tomorrow." Bruce extended his hand for the paper with the address on it. Barbara knew better than to argue with him, so she agreed. "Fine." And handed him the paper, before exiting the residence. --------------------------------------------- Barbara landed across the street from the address. Bruce never took her eidetic memory into account. Nyssa landed behind her. "Where are the others?" She asked. Barb responded with, "Batman insisted that we wait, that it might be trap and required more examination. But I don't want her to be held longer. Who knows why they took her and what they've been doing to her?" Babs turned around. "You're the only backup I have now." Nyssa gave her a questioning look, before replying. "I can't fight." Now it was Barbara's turn to question. "What?" "I made an oath in Laurel's name against violence." Nyssa stated. Barb snapped back with, "Even to save her?! Violence is at its worst when used for the worst reasons. You can't hide from what you can do. To do better, you use it for what's right." Nyssa took a moment. "Maybe Batman was right that we wait. If it's a trap. Can you honestly tell me that... Dinah, alive or dead, would want you to get yourself killed trying to save her?" Barbara turned away from Nyssa, her back to her, letting the words sink in. "If she's being hurt, I can't just do nothing." Nyssa spoke calmly. "Maybe you have to, to save her." Barbara bowed her head, her voice raw. "When my mom died, I blamed myself, because she died in a car accident picking me up.  My dad blamed himself because he thought she'd been a victim of the dirty cops in the city trying to send a message, so he avoided me out of shame. I felt alone. I thought he hated me." Barb tried to blink back the tears that began to flow from her eyes. "I was lost. Dinah was the one who showed me that hope existed. That I could be more... She helped me talk with my dad. Helped us grieve together... She helps people." Babs wiped her tears away, choking up in her voice, then becoming more stern. "And she has a family that uses her to make themselves feel better when they break and need help. But when she breaks and needs it, she's demonized. Her whole family has given up on her." Barbara turned back to face Nyssa, face stone cold with resolve. "I won't. She's not disposable, or replaceable, or forgettable to me. She's my hero. She's always been the Black Canary to me." Barb stepped up closer to Nyssa, staring into her eyes. "Think about that and tell me that I should let her be hurt more." Nyssa's eyes reflected the understanding of Barbara's words and simply nodded in it, then saying, "We still need to be smart though. We get in, quietly, no violence and get her out. The siblings of silk are proficient fighters. We can't risk engaging in a battle, regardless of my vow." Nyssa takes in a breath, with the words, "It's times like this when I wish I hadn't disbanded the League. An army of ninjas would be beneficial at a moment like this." Nyssa gave a small smirk to Barbara, who returned it. "I'll scan the area for all entrances-" Barbara immediately registered the situation as Nyssa grabbed her neck for the tranq dart. Barb quickly pulled her batarang in preparation for a fight. But they got her too. Just under her chin. The only cleanly bare skin of her body in the suit. As she passed out, the thought occurred to Barbara that it wasn't very tactical to keep half of your face bare when fighting crime now that she thought about it. -------------------------------------------------------- Barbara awakened, the fortune of a splitting headache making her regret it. A male voice echoed, "She's awake, Sister." Barbara's vision cleared just in time to see an asian woman bring a samurai sword under her chin. Barb could feel that her cowl was still on. But not for long, as the male speaker, Brother, pulled it back, off of her face. The Sister registered her face for a brief second, then spoke, "You're not Sara Lance." Barbara cocked an eyebrow, mockingly saying, "I'm not? That's a relief." She let out a faux exasperated breath. Sister then pressed the sword slightly into her neck, just barely drawing blood. Barb flinched in pain, but kept her face stern. Sister continued, intensely saying, "The trap was meant for her. You're with Nyssa Al Ghul, why is Sara Lance not with you?" Barbara took in a breath, understanding that Bruce was right. It had been a trap. But even if she'd known, she'd still have done something. It didn't matter much at the end of the day. Just with the execution. The thought registered with Barbara that maybe this had all been a convoluted con. So, she decided to figure out the truth: "Why would Sara be here?" Sister stared at her for a second, then responding, "I instructed her sister Dinah Laurel Lance to contact her. It took months of hypnosis and brainwashing to get her to comply to that much. But she broke eventually. Everyone does." Barbara blinked back a swelling of emotions from that statement, from more than a few things: The anger at the brainwashing. the relief that Dinah was alive and the question of why she called her. With a stare of determination, Barbara asked, "Where is Dinah? Why'd you fake her death, just to have her phone Sara?" Sister turned Barbara's head with her sword to look into the corner of the room, where she saw Dinah chained up, conscious, but completely unresponsive. Barbara turned her head away back up to Sister. " Let her go!" Barb yelled out in anger. Sister dropped the sword away from Barbara. "It was really as simple as waiting for the right moment to take her. After that, Ms. Lance was very stubborn. It took a yellow pill that we acquired from the remnants of Hive to make her compliant. Even then she insisted that Sara was time traveling under the name White Canary. I was concerned that her mind had fractured under the drug, hypnosis and torture, so I told her to call her sister. But you're not Sara." Barbara seethed as she looked back over at Dinah, recognizing the eyes of her friend nearly dead to the world. Glaring up at Sister, Barbara, continuing the questioning, "So you tortured Dinah just to what?! Kill Sara?! Dinah did nothing to you!" Sister smirked. "Are all Americans so simplistic in their revenge?" Sister walked over to Dinah chained to the wall. "After the yellow pill made Ms. Lance malleable, she was easily trained." Sister unhooked the chains from around Dinah's wrists. "I made her into an instrument of death, like me and my brothers. Sara was supposed to be here and would've been forced to battle her sister who was trying to kill her. Making it so she either kills her sister herself or the last thing she sees is her face as she's killed. If she'd lived, she'd practically beg me to kill her. And I'd be merciful. But you caused a hiccup in my plan. It doesn't matter." Sister handed her samurai sword to Dinah, who took it. "I'll find her. But there's no harm in making certain she can finish Sara off if the time comes. We haven't had her kill anyone yet." Sister looks to Dinah. "Dinah Laurel Lance. Kill her." Dinah immediately responded to Sister's voice, lifting the sword, as she approached Barbara. She paused when her eyes fully landed on her uncowled face, a glisten appearing in her eyes. Barbara saw it. She saw Dinah register her. She saw her. "Dinah? It's me. I'm here. I came to save you." Dinah snapped out of the emotion she was feeling, brushing off the distinct control of herself trying to claw back into control. And she brought the sword to Barbara's throat. Barbara held her breath, trying to choke back the tears that were coming to her eyes. "Please don't do this! The drugs are just chemical suggestion! You can break it. I know you don't wanna be this. You're strong enough to fight it." Tears began to run down Barb's cheeks, as she forced herself to look back into Dinah's eyes, despite the fear of not seeing her best friend in there. "I don't want my best friend to kill me. Please..." She pleaded, her voice choking, as she stared into Dinah's eyes. Dinah eye's caught hers and she stared back for just a second. Barbara saw the tears flow from Dinah's eyes, as she blinked them back, shaking her head only slightly... Dinah's face straightened, as she took in a deep breath of relief and looked right back into Barbara's eyes, her best friend's eyes, and showed her with a small smile that she was her again. Barbara knew it and returned the small smile as subtley as she could. Sister spoke from behind Dinah, coming up directly behind her, angry at the holding off of her order. "Kill. Her. Now." Dinah's eyes shifted down to Barbara's hands bound to the chair. Barbara calmly closed her eyes in response, understanding the meaning. Dinah lifted the samurai sword and brought it down by Barbara's hand slicing right through her bonds. And just as quickly brought the butt of the sword into Sister's face. As Barb threw her elbow behind her to hit the Brother in the stomach. Dinah swiped the sword into the above head light bulb, smashing it, dropping darkness over the room. It gave Barbara time to unstrap her other hand and legs. She felt her hand be taken, knowing it was Dinah and let her lead her out of the room, closing the door to the room, just as they saw Sister recognize them escaping. Dinah locking it from the outside. Barbara turned to face Dinah and hugged her, as tight as she possibly could, burying her face into her shoulder, blinking back tears of joy, thanking God so much for this. "You're actually alive." Dinah patted her on the back, holding her as well, smiling. "I won't be for very long with how you're hugging me." Barbara chuckled and let go, stepping back. "I've really missed you." Dinah took in a breath of the whole situation, before simply saying, "I missed you too." Babs took a look back and forth through the hallway they now stood in, then looking back to Dinah. "Do you happen to know where they're holding Nyssa?" Dinah did a double take. "What? Nyssa's here?" Barbara nodded. "No then." Dinah thought for a moment. "I have an idea. The indoctrination room. That's what they called where they'd pump me with... those... pills to keep me compliant." Dinah looked down, almost feeling shame at being force fed pills. Barbara read her face, understanding her conflict, saying, "We'll talk about it when we're out of here." She took Dinah's hand, comfortingly. Dinah nodded, then switching gears into determination. "We need to save Nyssa first."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Please review!