#t; Truly you are the world's greatest detective! (Bats)
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Mismatch- Part 21
Bio Dad Bruce Wayne Month
Patrolling with Gotham’s vigilantes is somehow the least chaotic part of their day, emphasises on Least!
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“So you want to explain how you let the Joker go?” Sparrow asks Red Hood, as they pour over plans.
“It happens,” Red Hood shrugs, but she is willing to bet he has a similar expression to Songbird right about now.
“Right, i just want to know how ,” She pushes more, getting Songbird to blush more
“Hey!" Songbird interrupts, getting the attention of the rest of the Bats with them, "I’m good at tracking people,”
“Thats nice,” Nightwing says, gearing up to search for the Joker with Red Hood.
“What I mean is I should come with you while Sparrow goes in the opposite direction,” Songbird turns to glare at her, “Far away,”
“Why would you want that,” Sparrow leans into his space, getting her face pushed away, “I’m just asking a professional question,”
“I have known you for little over a week nothing you do is professional,” Robin tsks, still sour about getting put on Patrol with her instead of going after the Joker.
“Well that’s simply not true,” Sparrows's voice comes out mumbled as marion smooshes her face.
“Right so you will follow the lead Nightwing has,” Batman pushes Songbird towards Red Hood, the greatest detective not notices the growing blush, “You three are patrolling together,”
“What could go wrong,” Red Robin sighs, resigning to patrol with both her and Robin.
“Try not to fall through any windows,” Sparrow calls, as they move to swing in opposite directions,
“Ha ha...I make no promises,” He mutters, heard through super hearing, before shouting, "See you later Captain!
Marinette leaves with Robin and Red Robin. The two bicker until oracle alerts them of three people attacking a girl in an alley a block over. In a matter of seconds of their arrival the three were disarmed and unconscious. Marinette goes to comfort the victim Alya?!
“Al- are you alright?” Sparrow reaches out to help her up.
“Yes, I’m fine thanks,” Alya dusts herself off, finally looking up, “Um, who are you?”
“Sparrow, working in Gotham temporarily,” She says professionally, hoping beyond hope that Alya does not recognise her.
“Right,” She surprisingly misses the chance for an interview, “Listen I need to talk to Batman, is he here?”
“Sorry miss he’s in another part of Gotham what seems to be your issue?” Red Robin answers for her.
“I need to talk to him about something really important,”
“Sorry, but if you’re looking for an interview Batman is very busy,” Sparrow brushes her off, of course she would be salivating to interview Batman.
“What? no-I’m,”
“We have to go, the police will be here soon,” Robin cuts her off, leaving with a Tt.
“Wait!”
“How annoying,” Robin spits, as they leave Alya behind in the alley.
“How did you know she wanted an interview?” Red Robin asks instead.
“Just know the type,”
“HEY!” Alya calls, chasing after them in the street below, “Just wait a minute!”
“Do you think we should stop?” Sparrow asks, feeling guilt claw at her.
“No,” Robin speeds up.
“Please! I really need to talk with you!” Alya begs, “It’s about Paris!”
“Paris?” Robin exchanges a knowing glance with Red Robin.
“We should stop,” Red Robin decides, they come to a halt.
They wait on the edge of the building, so Alya can see their shadows at the top. Alya starts sprinting up the fire escape.
“Tha-Thank you,” She pants, leaning over.
“What's this about Paris?” Robin demands, somehow glaring down at her despite being significantly shorter.
“The Akuma attacks!” Alya explodes, as if it's the most obvious thing, probably is, “Have you heard of Ladybug and Chat Noir? Hawk Moth?!”
“The situation in Paris has recently come to our attention,” Red Robin answers cordially.
“Well it’s been like this since I was thirteen!” Taking them both aback slightly, “And it's only getting worse every day,”
“The heroes of Paris have proved to be capable,” How did Red Robin even know about them?
“That's not what I mean, it’s the emotional toll,” Alya is still out of breath, Sparrow stands off to the side, joining in would only risk her identities, “Do you know what it’s like to be afraid to feel negative emotions? To have to constantly be happy otherwise you could kill your whole family!”
“I’m sure your heroes can handle it,” Robin concedes, bitterness hanging from the tone.
“They can but they shouldn't have to!”
Alya takes her aback with another out burst, stepping towards the Bats.
“I was… I used to be called in by them from time to time, and let me tell you,” Alya pauses, she was probably still mad about getting benched, loving her position as Rena Rouge, “It’s terrifying,”
Now that... that is a surprise.
“Not even the hero part… most the time,” Alya rubs her arm, “But you can’t get Akumatized again otherwise Hawk Moth will know, he can target your friends and family,”
At least she finally understood the need to keep secret identities.
“Ladybug hasent called me in in years,” Alya admits, actually looking shameful, "I don’t know how I messed up,”
Thats the problem
“But I know that I’m glad Ladybug never gave me the miraculous again,”
Wait... WHAT!
“It was so stressful having all of paris, sometimes the world, depending on you,” Alya looks on the verge of tears, “At first I though it was fun because I had Ladybug who seemed so strong and unstoppable, someone I could look up to, for always being there, always put together, she didn't seem to have a weakness,”
That- That could not be further from the truth
“Not that I don’t still respect her, it’s just different now,” Alya backtracks, “I saw it, sometimes, the uncertainty there, it made me think she’s just like me, scared, but she doesn't have anyone stronger to protect her, she’s all alone,"
I have Chat Noir!
“I look up to her so much more now, it’s not a fun job and I know she’s afraid she cant protect everyone, so Hawkmoth needs to be defeated,”
Alya looks every inch the confident reporter Marinette had first met. The one before Lila came and sapped all her strength and independence.
“Ladybug deserves to live in peace,” Alya decides, almost glaring down the other two, “Will you please help her?”
“We already have plans of going to Paris soon to assist,” Red Robin informs.
“You do?!”
“Thank you,” Alya burst into tears, while Marinette is still reeling from the new information, “Thank you so much,”
“How about we escort you back to your hotel?”
They carry Alya to the hotel, swinging through the night. They see her in and set up a watch across the building. They report into Batman, granting permission to stake out for a while. They watch as Alya is talking with the group, including Lila in her room. Marinette could feel the irritation radiating off the other two at Lila’s nonsense.
“Is this necessary?” Robin glares down at the window they are watching through, “She didn’t have any valuable insight,”
“She was a hero in Paris,” Red Robin sighs, evidently glaring just as much, “That's something,”
“And she clearly got the boot for being incompetent,”
“You don’t know that,” Alya had actually been a great fox, but when Marinette could no longer trust her as a civilian, she knew Alya could never wield another miraculous, “Which is why we are watching, follow every possible lead, especially when they’re scarce,”
“Hey listen,” Red Robin nods towards the speaker, connected to the bug he planted on her.
“Marinette really needs to think things through,” Lila whines, all three go to turn it down at the same time, “It’s like she wants the class to get in trouble,”
“But Marinette protected us from Scarecrow,” Rose squeaks out.
“And Marion!” Nino adds, as if they didn't just commit treason in Lila land.
“Of course, it’s just they know all this trouble is following them around and they’re still-” Lila pauses long enough for everyone to be on the edge of their seats, “No never mind,”
“What is it Lila,”
“Well…” Lila plays like she isn't going to tell them everything that never happened, “I was talking to Marinette in the elevator and I told her I felt really unsafe and scared that another villain was going to attack,”
“Mari-Marinette started yelling at me about how I was trying to ruin her trip!” Lila's lip quivers, so painfully obvious she can see it from here, “She said if I felt unsafe I should just stay behind or go back to Paris!”
“Do you feel that unsafe Lila?” Mylene asks, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Wha-”
“Yeah if you’re that scared you should tell your parents,” Kim encourages, enthusiastic, but concerned, “I’m sure you’ll feel better back home with Ladybug,”
“You guys don’t understand,” Lila almost shouts, losing grip on her perfect persona, “Marinette wasn't worried about me; she just wanted me out of the way! Because- well I don’t know why! I think she can just be really cruel sometimes,”
“That little disgusting worm!” Robin makes a grab for his katana.
“Yeah so I hacked the security footage and they have never been in a room alone together,” Red Robin reports, scrolling through a video feed, “Let alone an elevator,”
“Let’s just go,” Sparrow grabs them both by the arms, “I think we’ve exhausted our information,”
She practically drags them off the roof, a few blocks away. Robin’s pacing looking for something to stab. At this rate it’s probably going to be Red Robin, who’s been tapping away at his screen the whole time. Sparrow finds her saving grace, spotting a park down below.
“Let’s go,”
She drags them despite their protests down to the playground. Robin is grumbling the whole time, so she sits him down on the swing, and pushes him. Red Robin starts laughing and may or may not be filming.
“I am perfectly capable of pushing myself!”
“Really have you ever been on a swing before?” She leans over, getting in his face.
“Tt, of course not,” He looks away, “So childish,”
“Well that just means a child can do something you cannot,”
It's really Red Robins laughter that truly breaks him.
“... do not push me,”
“Alright, how about I show you?” She hops on the swing next to him, “Like this,”
Robin copies her form as Red Robin keeps filming, shouting out scores in the negative numbers.
“So help me I will stab you if you don't!-” Robin tips off balance and falls off the swing backwards, “ RED ,”
“That was very good for a first time,” Marinette helps him stand back up, “Keep it up and you might be able to go toe to toe with the three year olds one day,”
They spend the rest of patrol getting chased around the park by Robin, both hurling out insults and condescending reassurance.
Marion had not run into any buildings yet thank you very much. He had ran into a cell phone tower.
“Are you alright?” Red hood lands in front of him.
Marion glares at him upside down, hanging off the bars, as if this wasn't all his fault,
“Fine,” And because he can’t possibly be anymore embarrassed, “Just like you,”
“Of course I’m fine,” He crosses his arms, Marion definitely doesn't give him the once over, “I didn’t just run into a cell tower,”
He’s an idiot!..... He’s perfect
It does not help that Nightwing bursts out laughing.
“Little wing… no,” Nightwing gasps through his laughter.
“What are you-” Red Hood stiffens up, “oh,”
Mayday! Mayday! Abort! Abort! BACK TO PARIS!!! Wheres the Rabbit Miraculous!!!
“Oh,” Red Hood leans in, inches away, “Hell yeah I am,”
Sorry to inform you Marion has now died, Red Hood is indeed a murderer
Unfortunately before Marion has another opportunity to embarrass himself Oracle calls in and they both swing off. Leaving Marion to catch up. They eventually stop for a break without crashing into another building… it was a light graze ok?!
“I swear you and Sparrow are my new favourites,” Nightwing scarfs down another macaron.
“Careful golden boy,” Red Hood warns, stealing a macaron from Nightwing, “You’ll get a lecture form the Bat,”
“Batman can fuck off,” Marion shoves one in his mouth, “He probably lives off protein shakes and brooding,”
“Oh my-,” Red Hood cracks up, “I don’t think I've ever heard you swear,”
“What can I say,” Marion leans back, looking over Red Hood, “You bring out the best in me,”
“I think I’d rather bring out the worst in you,”
… No Marion is not blushing, he is not stuttering, he has everything under control thank you very much.
“Are- are you actually going to eat that?” Marion chokes out, Red Hood still holding his stolen macaron.
That turns out to be the worst possible thing he could have said, because Red hood actually takes off his helmet. There is a domino mask underneath but this is the first time Marion is seeing his face.
“Songbird are you ok?” Nightwing asks.
“I will never be ok again,” Marion falls back across the roof, “Ok is a state before perfection and I can never feel anything but joy after seeing that,”
“Ummm,” Nightwing looks awkwardly between the two.
“You’re pretty,” Marion turns, curling around to look at Red Hood.
“Not handsome?” And fuck he’s smiling, fuck.
“No,” Marion says harshly,“Gorgeous,”
Red Hood looks completely shocked. And god he can actually see his face! And expressions! This is wonderful!
“Yes… well,” Nightwing clears his throat, “We should probably move on,”
“Jealous?” Red Hood teases.
“No, let’s just go,” Nightwing stands, Marion sighs and sits back up.
“It’s alright Golden boy,” Red Hood punches him in the shoulder as he stands, “Plenty of people still think you’re pretty,”
Marion has to stop himself from ripping the helmet out of Red Hood’s hands when he goes to put it back on.
“That’s not what this is about Hood,”
“Sure it’s not,” Red Hood winks at Songbird just before he puts the helmet back on, as if that didn’t cause him cardiac arrest.
They continue along their search equal parts flirting with each other and teasing Nightwing.
“Oi! Shelly!”
Marion looks behind him, mid-swing to spot a familiar taxi driver,”
“Norris!” Marion spins around, landing in front of the man.
“You’re patrolling with them?” Norris nods towards the other two hiding in the shadows, “Where’s your sister?”
“Yeah! Decided on a codename, it’s Songbird actually,”
“Nah,” Norris leans against the hood of his car, “Shelly suits you better,”
“Hell yeah it does!”
Bruce waits for the others to finish up patrol in the Batcave. He has to talk to them about the twins at some point, the sooner the better, before they go back to Paris. It’s just so hard. Would they even accept someone new into the family?
“Father!” Damian shouts the moment he enters the cave, “I demand you adopt Sparrow immediately,”
“What, why?”
“She is a good warrior,” From Damian that is very high praise .
“And helps you skip patrol,” Tim adds, going directly for his after patrol coffee.
“You were complicit in that Drake!”
“You skipped patrol,” Bruce sighs, partly disappointed, partly curious Damian was usually excited for patrol.
“Not really we were watching that student from Paris we told you about,” Tim states, Bruce nods along, “They were talking to another student in the class who is-”
“A filthy liar,” Damian spits, “I have meet them once and know Marinette is far more honourable than that,”
“Lila?” Bruce guesses, thinking back to the fair, on the other hand at least Damian doesn't seem to hate them.
“How did you know?” Tim asks, taking the reports from the desk as he downs the coffee.
“I was with them the other day-”
“Father if you are planning to adopt them I insists you adopt Sparrow first,”
“We’re adopting Sparrow?!” Dick calls, as he walks in with Jason, “Cause we should also adopt Songbird,”
“Are you so offended you would go this far to thwart me?” Jason recites theatrically, “You should really learn to control that jealousy,”
“What happened?” Bruce grows suspicious watching Dick glare.
“Songbird flirted with me,” Jason grins, perhaps a little too widely, “And ignored Dick,”
“I’m not jealous, just worried,”
“Thanks,” Jason looks away bitterly, tone getting harsher.
“That's not what I meant Jason,” Dick cringes, having ruined his good mood.
“What did you mean then?” Jason bites out, making Dick recoil.
“Enough, I’m not adopting them!” Bruce shouts, making everyone pause.
“... That’s probably the first time you ever said that,”
"Alfred!" Jason jumps, Bruce tenses at him reflexively reaching for his gun, "Where the fuck did you come from!?"
"I think you will end up adopting them one way or another Master Bruce,"
"What do you mean," Bruce asks as Alfred takes Tim's coffee.
"Well I think it's time everyone retires for the night,"
"ALFRED! what do you mean!"
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Innocence died screaming, honey I should know
Here’s the thing: For all his talk of Gotham being a life-sucking, happiness draining shithole, leaving it had never been truly an option on Jason’s mind. It was his shithole of a city goddammit, the grim dirt streets he would die on. It was his home, the blood on his veins. This city had its claws deep into him, and leaving, especially leaving never to return, had been simply impossible, did not compute to him.
Especially now, that Jason was getting along better with the Bats these days. He still didn’t, and never would agree with Bruce regarding his no-killing rule. But things were better, or at least he thought they were. His presence was expected and even accepted. There were some awkwardness and silent nobody knew how to fill, but there were also jokes and eating junk food together after patrol. Sure, there were a lot of snippy comments but he made those too, gave as good as he got, and Bruce still didn’t quite trust him, not to the extent he did with the other, though that was just a given, he had made peace with it, he still killed, after all, a little suspicion was an acceptable price to pay for it.
Self-righteous, holier than thou bat.
Still, there was an uneasiness on his chest whenever the pointed looks got too much when they would start questioning his actions and his plans like he hadn’t been trained by the world's greatest detective like the rest of them and League of Shadows on top of that. Forgetting that Jason had effectively taken control of the East End in less than two months, and without any of them noticing.
The good parts didn’t lessen the rage-hurt out when Barbara sneered at him, acting like he couldn’t be trusted in the field, like the fact he had issues, that he cared about the victims because he had been one made him incapable of being rational, turned him into something that was eternally compromised. Like he was a mindless raging monster, who would shoot to kill at mere provocation.
He had been, once, fresh out of those green waters, traumatized, angry, afraid, and replaced. He had been a child, too, didn’t that count for something?
Their veiled accusations of insanity, that he had a problem, that needed to be handled like he was a fucking dog, the angry gremlin claims that he was unhinged and the only reason that they kept him around was to keep an eye on him, it all made Jason feel queasy, made him feel less than human.
It made him wonder how truly welcome he was. Was he welcome or they were just trying to appease their guilt and keep a loose cannon from the streets?
But there were undoubtedly good things too. Moments that made it worth it. His relationship with Steph and Duke, and surprisingly, Replacement was getting better, even though the first two were not around as much as he would like. The nights they had spent chewing off some of the undoubtedly brilliant but assholes teachers while demolishing mountains of homework had been fun, and Replacement-Tim was quite a sass master, now only if he could convince the kid to take a step back from WE so that he wouldn’t have a heart attack before he could drink legally.
Replacement, however, was why he was here. Here being diner on the border of the Bowery and Robinsonville, The Raging Duck, a new place that Golden Boy wanted to try, make a family bonding experience out of it, Jason was sure. Replacement had twisted his way around with words in a shape that made it impossible for him not to come. His saving grace was that Jason had already made clear that he couldn’t stay long, under the pretext of having to verify that month payments collection from the Bowery.
Which was goddammed good thing because this whole outing had been a mistake. The last couple weeks had been rough, with the stress of studying and writing applications for his master degree, the couple of murders that almost led to a gang war between the Falcone and the Russians, plus a decoy staged by the Riddler, as his newest scape plan, that had taken too long to crack leading to an accident that had killed three people and would have killed a lot more if Jason hadn’t said fuck and put bullet holes on some goons heads. This in turn led to an inevitable argument because of Batman's continuous incapacity to see the necessity of his actions while on some level recognizing that was the only poss0ible decision meant that tension had been higher than usual.
Therefore, putting everybody in a room together was definitely not the best idea, Dickie! The last ten minutes certainly proved so, what had started as an easy-going conversation about their early on mishaps of the field, which included a hefty number of stories where the main theme was “And then I said Fuck Batman – With varying degrees of success” that had started as a split-second change of subject in order to avoid a fight breaking out, had turned into passive-aggressive attacking Jason. The worst part was that Jason wasn’t even sure they were doing on purpose.
Did the even realize he was sitting right next to them? Or was he just a ghost?
“… and then the fantastic Robin fell three stores down only to be needed to be saved by the incredible Spoiler! So, listen to me kids, if you’re going to say fuck Batman you should at least be sure there is something to break your fall before you jump.” - Steph finished the story with a flourish, going back to her waffles.
“That was a level of stupidity that I wasn’t aware that you were capable of Replacement. Really, I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.
“Please, as if you weren’t the first one to ignore an order just to fuck with B, Jason. There’s a list. The Incident with the Falcone. Killer Crock latest scape. The entire shit show that was last week. – Tim shot back, mulish, poking at his fries
And every single of those missions was a raging success.
“Which is the one involving Babs, back when she was still BG, you know the one she always mentions, because I don’t know what you did dude but she’s still pissed at you for it.”
“Oh, I know! Bruce forced them to work together on that one, it was a drug-smuggling operation that involved kids. Jason jumped in instead of waiting for her signal. Needless to say, it did not end up well. Babs was so very pissed.”
Yeah for the assholes that thought using kids as drug mules was a good idea. BG was just made the street rat had a better plan than her
“Is that why warehouse 25F is a gory, burned-out mess?”
“Nah, that came later, during that corruption case that nearly put the Comish in the hospital. Or maybe it was the one involving that Nazi Arts dealer?”
“Is there a difference? They always end up in unnecessary explosions. Todd’s need for dramatics and overuse of force are well documented”
Because you can talk about overuse of force, demon spawn.
“Robin. Less explosions. Trying to help. Hurt.”
“Yeah, he was trying to help Cass, nobody is denying that the thing is Jason desire to be a little shit and prove Batman wrong is way stronger than his drive to help people, and even though there were far less explosions back then, both he and innocent people have gotten hurt.”
How you’d know? You weren’t around back then Dickface.
“So, we can agree that it’s basically a Pavlovian response for him at this point. Your stubbornness and desire to say Fuck Batman no matter the consequences have been able to surpass death Jason, and if that it’s not a feat, I don’t know what is. Congratulations, really!” – Steph summarized.
He had been holding up fine until that point but he just didn’t have the strength to it anymore, every word out it Tim's mouth felt like the blow of crowbar shattering his ribs, chocking on his own blood because a Batarang slashed his throat. He felt faint. He felt dangerously close to crying.
“I have to go.” – Jason got out of his chair.
“Jason…” – The pitying and yet reproachful note on Dick’s voice made his skin crawl.
“I said I couldn’t stay very long. Some of us have stuff to do. You know criminal empires to run, places to blow up, kneecaps to shoot.” – He doped a twenties bill on the table.
“Todd. Cease being childish. Just because you are unable to accept your failures, and the fact that you were incompetent and arrogant enough to be captured by an enemy does not mean you should incapable of accepting constructive criticism.”
“Not being childish gremlin. I do have a criminal empire to run. And I do take constructive criticism, preferably from people who know what the hell they are talking about. You know people that are more than the “blood sons” of people that are greater than themselves. Noise midgets, not so much. Bye.” – Jason out of the dinner before any of them can reply.
See you never again.
He doesn’t know how he gets back to his closest safe house. It’s a reasonably good one. He likes this one. He focusses on the things he likes. Hardwood floor. The light green paint. On the things, he doesn’t. The shitty heating. The fact that the cabinets doors don’t shut all the way.
Breaths. Slowly. In and Out. Counts to three hundred. Breaths again.
The tears still prickle on his eyes. His chest feels hollow. His throat is dry. He doesn’t have the strength to move from where he’s sat on the floor, his back against the door. Going a few rounds with Deathstroke had hurt less. It certainly never made him want to crawl under his bed and stay there until the world forget he existed. Of course, Slade had also never blamed for his own death.
Even though his own father had. Reckless, overly aggressive, incapable of following orders, loud-mouthed Robin that got what he deserved, Bruce had said. Maybe not to his face but he had said it. Then again it had been his fault, hadn’t it?
He takes a few more breaths, tries to push his emotions back, locking them deep, and walks to the fridge, pours himself a glass of water. Drinks it. His mind goes back to the conversation. The glass shatters in his hand.
“Oh, fuck!”
He goes to the sink, to clean his hands and throws the broken glass into the trash. Lucky there were only some minor cuts that don’t need stitches even if they hurt like a bitch.
Take that universe!
Still, he wraps them in bandages since he doesn’t fancy cleaning blood out of his sheets. Sleep, however, doesn’t come easily that night, and the time he doesn’t spend tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable position to follow to try to fall back asleep in, he spends waking up from dreams that leave him feeling like he’s constantly falling, sharp terror waking him each and every time.
There is no rest for the wicked though, and so he takes off by late morning and goes to check o on the rest of the gang, makes sure Antony is running things smoothly. All in all, it’s pretty boring, with enough paperwork to make a bonfire, but it does the job of taking his mind out the things for a while. Patrol is uneventful, which is a welcome respite, and Jason doesn’t do much more than stop a few muggings and beating up some creeps.
During that time, he keeps an ear out for the bats, especially Dick since he’s not anywhere near the mood to listen to another of the boy wonder lectures about how “Damian is just a child; you shouldn’t take what he says seriously”, especially those came with the addition of being delivered in that tone that screamed, “even though he’s right”. But he must have gone back to his turf because he sees no hair nor hide of him or any of the others.
The next two nights are very much a repetition of that first one, with little sleep and little action, so much so that a paranoid and exhausted part of him gets a bit terrified and so he ends up calling Roy just to hear the genius talk about whatever crazy project he’s been working on lately. If the redhead has any idea why Jason is calling him at four in the morning, he doesn’t comment on it and simply talks until his friend's breath has even out.
This way when the sun comes up the next day, Jason drags himself out of bed and heads straight to the shower, the cold water helps ground him back into his body. Still feeling like shit but at least knowing the difference between dream and reality he eats his breakfast while checking his messages and it’s more than a little bit shocked to see a text from Bruce asking, as in there is an actual please in it if they can talk about a possible case with a few crossed wires. There’s even an invitation to stay for dinner alongside with it, which makes him wonder if Bruce hit his head a little too hard the other day, or if Alfred finally made good on his promise of finding a drug that made him less emotionally stunned.
No matter the cause, the message leaves him hopeful enough that he answers with a yeah, I’ll be there by five.
He arrives at the Manor door fifteen minutes past five, just in case, greeting Alfred with a smile that the old butler easily returns. They make some small talk as the older man demands him to at least drink a cup of tea before heading down. Still, they part at the entrance of the cave and Jason takes those final steps alone.
“Sup, old man?”
“Jason.” – Bruce answers, his back turned, typing at the bat computer, probably filling some reports.
“C’mon B, you’re the one who called me unless of course, you somehow have been possessed and that please was you asking for help, in which case, give me a second and let me call the Martian Manhunter, you gotta give a bit more of information.” – Jason kept his gaze on Bruce’s back, his breath steady, he was not rambling thank you very much!
“There been some talk about an escort service in Diamond District that works as a front from money laundering. I think you might know some of the girls.”
“Little bit out of my way. Maybe you should check with Cat.”
Bruce’s eyes were shining, and the line of his mouth meant that he was finding it funny and Jason was filed to the brim with a wave of warmth and nostalgia. It made him feel like a kid again, it made him like Robin again, like magic.
“Maybe we should.”
“Oh gross! Let’s go back to the ever-existing cases of corruption and gross old man please?”
“Isabella McGarvey”
“Know the surname. Any relation to Ophelia McGarvey?”
"Her older sister I believe, records show that she moved from the East Side two years ago but didn’t take her sister with her because she was a minor…"
Most of the afternoon passed that way. With the Batman and the Red Hood checking financial records, discussing disappearances and police reports in an amiable tone, full of teasing. It was a welcome change of pace being the one providing the answers to all-knowing Batman for once. So, he took his time explaining the inner workings and the shady dealings of the Alley, preening at the attention and the approval, something he would deny until his second dying day.
Perhaps the only dark spot in the otherwise bright day was the fact that Jason kept purposely having to avoid looking at the southeast corner of the cave, at the glass cage that seemed to hover over them.
Refusing to acknowledge that some part of Bruce would always believe he was dead
“There maybe be a loose end might be worth exploiting but I don’t know how long that window would be open: There was a shooting, a few days ago, near the Bowery and Robinsonville, no cameras, three dead, the assailant left no evidence behind.”
“Don’t know what to tell you Bats, last time I was there I was with your kids, didn’t hear anything, neither did mine. I mean, I could ask but this is Gotham, murders are pretty much the norm. Unless those guys are part of something bigger, I got you nothing.” - Jason shrugged, already calculating the possibilities of why this is relevant and coming out with nothing.
Damn all-knowing paranoid bat.
“They were. Trafficking ring. Middleman.”
“There is no trafficking ring in the Alley”.
Of that he’s certain.
“There is not. Because those men were killed before they could take anyone. But they were known for it, and they were asking the sort of questions that could ping on your radar.”
“Well, I haven’t heard anything. I’ll make sure to pay more attention, update some protocols.” – Jason answered, already planning to investigate it.
If they were acting as a middleman for someone roaming around then that someone would send more to scoop the territory out and he would be prepared when they came, regardless of what else could be there. There were no trafficking rings in Alley.
“Or maybe you did and decided to take care of it your own terms”
The abruptness of the question was so earth-shattering that he took a few steps back to regain his balance.
“Jesus Christ Bruce if are gonna accuse me of murder you could at least have the decency of start with that. No, I did not kill them. If any of mine did I haven’t heard of it. But as far as I’m concerned is no great loss.” - He succeeds at sounding nonchalant and enraged, hiding the fact that the question felt like a bucket of water, leaving his cold and shaking.
So, this is why Bruce actually called, so he could question Jason about his latest failure, his latest disappointment in Bruce’s eyes. Of course, it was, and he was a fool for ever thinking otherwise. For letting himself hope that Bruce was trying, that he wanted to rekindle the relationship they had when Jason still wore those green panties.
“Where were you at 2:30 in the morning, three nights ago?”
“What?”
Please god, everything but this. I can’t do this again
“At the time of the murder, where were you?
“In a dinner with your kids.” – Jason’s voice was nothing more than a whisper as if all the air had been pushed out of his lungs.
Why you don’t believe me? Why you don’t trust me?
“Damian said you left early, earlier than that, because he got home at 3:00. It takes at least half an hour to get here from there.
“Safehouse a few blocks away, then. Sleeping. Bruce, please”. – Jason was begging now, voice raw and full of hurt.
“Can you prove that?”
"The hell is wrong with you?!? I already told you: I. DID. NOT. KILL. THEM. When have I ever not taken credit for the people I’ve killed?"
“What’s going on?”
And of course, because his luck could not be worse, that was the Perfect Grayson coming down the stairs. He could feel the headache forming behind his eyes. He did not want to deal with this shit right now.
Was it too much to ask for the ground swallow him whole?
“Nothing! Bruce’s just spent the last five minutes pointlessly accusing of murder! Can you get the fuck out so we can continue discussing it?”
“You were near the scene of the crime, you have a motive, the means, and a history.”
“Wait you killed someone?”
“No! Keep up, Bruce is just being a dick, you know like you usually are.”
“Is a valid concern”
“Is a piece of shit that is what it is!”
“Can someone please explain?”
“Bruce thinks I killed three people after I left the dinner the other day.”
That what you did after you left? It’s that what you meant by shooting kneecaps? Jay… I know that you were angry but this…
“Jesus Fucking Christ Didn’t I just say its bullshit?”
“You said that?”
“It was a joke”
“You have motive, means, no alibi and now your brother is telling me that you left because you needed to shoot someone. What do you want me to believe?”
“THAT I WOULDN’T LIE ABOUT IT!”
“If you were planning only to main them, if your anger got the better out you, as it has before if you did it out impulse, and is trying yo hide it.”
“You know what Bruce? You’ve already made up your mind so I will do us all a favor and get myself out. You can’t trust me? Well, I can’t trust you. From now on there will be no bats at the East End. If you are seen, you will be shot. That’s how trigger happy I fucking am!”
He pushed passed Dick and Bruce, the world was tingled with pit green glow, his ears were roaring, no sound, only rage, and loss. Every step he took was calculated, his breath was short, measured. A of violence ready to blow up at the mere provocation held together only by the barest threads of sanity and humanity and the training Ducra had given him. Roy’s voice babbling at him. Kori’s booming laughter. Kyle ridiculous art. Donna’s everlasting sass and warmth.
Somehow, someway he made home without turning Gotham into a bloodbath, and the relative he felt at activating the security protocol was fastly overtaken by fear. He hadn’t had an attack like that in over three months. Hadn’t let the Pit burning so strong in his veins in so long. Hadn’t felt that disconnection to reality since his early days out of the Pit.
Just the idea of what could have happened in case he lost control made Jason grab the nearest bucket and puke. He stayed there, pressing the palm of hinds to his eyes, heaving.
It didn’t matter, because it didn’t happen.
His phone rang, and if it was anybody else calling, he let go straight to voicemail, but it was Talia’s ringtone and she didn't call jus for kicks, so he presses answer.
“If I told you I didn’t kill a man would you believe me?” – Jason blurts out before he can stop himself, red coloring his cheeks as he realizes what he just said, cursing himself for his stupidity.
“Of course. Why would…I see.” – Talia’s face goes from neutral to confusion and finally anger in a matter of seconds. – “Your father does not know you at all Habibi, and that, rest assured, is entirely his fault. He’s too caught up in the image he made of you to be able to see you as truly are.”
“Batman being a stunned idiot, who can look past his own reasoning of the world? What an earthshattering idea T! – Jason says sarcastically trying to cover up his earlier emotional outburst. - Anyway, got a reason for calling?
“Do not play coy with me, Jason, it’s unbecoming. Regardless, I do not believe Gotham has done you good. Moreover, I do not believe your father's actions towards you have been in any way helpful to your recovery and growth.”
“What are you? My therapist?”
“I would not be against for you to see one, but I would not force you either. Your choices, as always, must be your own. Besides is my understanding that to be effective therapy must also involve privacy. Another thing that its unlikely to come by if you are to remain here.
“Gotham needs me. The Alley needs me, God knows the Bat can’t handle this shit, they don’t care and even if they did the Alley would never trust them” – It wasn’t as much a rebuttal as it was an excuse
“They do, but you are of no use to them if you are constantly emotionally compromised by the rash and thoughtless actions of those who do not understand you and do not seek to. Loyalty is a gift that must be not be given lightly and they make ill use of yours while reaping the benefits of it. Perhaps it’s time for them to learn how to much you do for them. The absence does make the heart grow fonder.”
“You’re telling me to leave.”
“I’m telling take a step back. You’ve done tremendous work, but there’s more to you then violence. The petty criminals and drug dealers and the pimps are all properly terrified, your minions are capable enough that they can keep your operation running without your direct involvement. Rest. Recover. Come back when you are ready. Besides, you do have your master’s degree to consider, don’t you?” - Jason blushed, Talia wasn’t one to give compliments that she didn’t mean, and she did have a point, but…
But what? What did he truly have here? It had taken less than ten minutes for Dick convince Bruce, based on nothing more than a few throw away words Jason had said when he was angry and hurting, that Jason had killed a man and once that decision had been made no amount of evidence would make Bruce turn around in his favor. The others probably already knew what had happened and just as likely had decided to stay away from him from now on. After all, if he couldn’t take a little teasing without blasting someone’s brains out then he was certainly no better than the crazies in Arkham, to them.
What Talia was offering has the peace of taking a walk without being judged by the path he chooses to walk on, let the dust stele until bygones were bygones and he could look at Dick’s- Holier-Than-Thou face without breaking every single bone in it.
What did he have to lose that he couldn’t take back later on?
“You do realize that this will take quite a bit of work and resources, right? – Jason could almost see that pleased little smile of hers spread on Talia’s face.
“You do realize who you are speaking with don’t you Habibi? Let’s get to work.
#first chapter#Criminal Minds#Jason Todd#fanfic#Im so nervous#Go check on AO3'#Im sorry for the delay#Spoiler: Jason is a Sad Boy in this#But he'll get better#Xover#Spencer Reid shows up in the next chapter#Worry not#im very proud of myself#ive written
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Allies Obstruct
=INTRO D: COLLAPSING PEACE=
((Courtesy of @codedhopes & @super-tired-robot))
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//:LOG IN SUCCESSFUL. WELCOME, NO. Ø
//:LOADING FILES…
//:FILES LOADED. ENTER COMMAND PROMPT.
//:COMMAND> CHECK REVELATION.EXE STATUS
//:RUNNING…
//:CALCULATIONS COMPLETE. DATA HAS BEEN UPDATED, SAVED AND UPLOADED TO DESIGNATED PROGRAM. FILE REMAINS QUARANTINED. PROGRAM IS RUNNING NORMALLY.
//:COMMAND>PREPARE ENDGAME FILE FOR UPLOAD. DESTINATION: NBCA DATABASE SERVER, CHERRYDYNAMICS MAINFRAME SERVER, ALL
//:RUNNING…
//:ENDGAME FILE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR UPLOAD. UPLOAD NOW?
//COMMAND>SET TIMER: JUNE 21, 20XX, 11:45 AM.
//:RUNNING…
//:TIMER SET. RUNNING SCAN…
//:WARNING: VIRUS DETECTED IN FILE! SOURCE: REVELATION.EXE. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO UPLOAD THIS FILE?
//:COMMAND>YES.
//:RUNNING…
//:COMMAND SET. ENDGAME FILE WILL UPLOAD IN: 24 HOURS.
//COMMAND>SEND MASS MESSAGE TO: DLN-001.5 [CONTACT: CALEB LIGHT], DLN-001 [CONTACT: ROCKWELL LIGHT], DWN-INFINITY. [CONTACT: MZ WILY]
//:ENTER MESSAGE…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//:MESSAGE RECEIVED. FROM: Ø [CONTACT: RAY] SENT: 11:46 AM.
//: …Where should I begin…?
//: …Ah…right. I suppose an apology is in order, firstly…it’s been quite some time since I’ve spoken to any of you, and I’m sorry. Truly. Some of you are angry with me, I know, and it is my fault. I know I’ve been rather reclusive these last few months, and…there is a reason for it. Several, in fact, of which I will now tell you, the people that have made my wretched existence…a little easier. A little more…brighter.
//: …I have been working on several projects--this is what was eating up most of my time. One of which is looking for a more permanent solution for my deteriorating condition, caused by my lack of a central core. I have searched for many, many decades, and with the recently opened rifts that have appeared these last few years--the very same ones that have led me to you all--did bring up some new leads…
//: …But all I have found are…dead ends. EVERYWHERE I look only reminds me that I am cursed, and that nothing can fix me. That I...
//: I…I’m running out of time. It grows worse, my horrid curse…I am falling apart more rapidly, I must hunt more frequently…and…and the pains…
//: It hurts now. I feel as if I am rotting away from the inside out. It hurts…so much. I cannot…hold myself together for long…there is only…pain…hunger…pain…and hunger…
//: Ngh–!!
//: Hunger…consume…feed…! I can’t–need…more–!!
[…There is silence, it was as if the message was edited and continued much later…did she mean to send this before the virus had been released?]
//: Hnn...
//: I...I'm fine. I don't know for how long...I...
//: ….Do you see now?
//: I…I am not long for this world.
//:…This…world…
//: …This world. This cheap, thrill-seeking world, only caring about their advertised construct battles and those who provide it! As long as humans, the sinful ones, have that to entertain them…their precious Battle Colosseum…their so-called heroes…! They care about nothing else…
//: And it’s all because of them that I am this way. All of it. All of it. ALL OF IT. I would have never resorted to such disgusting ways of survival if it wasn’t for them! The NBCA, CherryDyn, and ESPECIALLY HIM…
//: I was doomed! Doomed from the start! Doomed to fall! Doomed to die! I...!
//: ...
//: …I refuse to leave this mortal earth…fading away in some…dark, lonely corner, amongst the filth and the departed…by my own hands…god, no. I won't--I can't subject you all to that. I can't let you watch me slowly wither and die when there's nothing to be done, I can't...I can't bear you to that pain.
//: No.
//: If I am to die…If I am to be sent to the Void, never to return…if I am to burn, burn in hell…
//: Then this world will burn with me. Along with all those who have wronged me. CherryDyn. The Colosseum. Humanity.
//: They will burn…they will pay for their sins…pay…in blood, in Xel…it doesn’t matter.
//: ...
//: Don’t bother trying to stop me. The rifts are beginning to close…as if the fates already know how this ends…as if they knew all along that this was my role to play.
//: …And no matter what happens, I…will be no more…
//: I just…
//: ….
//: I can’t…take this anymore. The endless slaughter…the constant…fear…I can’t…there is nothing…I can do…I can’t be saved, no matter what Beck says. No matter what...God...
//: Cale, my love...
//: …Caleb Light…my dauntless rebel…I love you so, so much. I gave you…everything I had left…everything that I am…and…you are the best–no…the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. My light in the darkness…my Mate…I’m so sorry I have to put you through this. I know...I can hear your words now, saying that I shouldn't do this, but you must understand--If I die--the people that made me what I am will go on to hurt countless others. It's not just vengeance, my Light--I want Justice. They need to pay, while I am still the only one alive to remember their sins. Please…forgive me…this...this isn't how I wanted it to end.
//: I love you.
//: Rock…MZ…I give you my blessings…focus on the future you have now, together…whenever you DO get married, eventually…that is, if you haven’t already. Don’t let me…ruin it with my acts of vengeance. Just…stay out of it. Please. This is more than just about me--CherryDyn is far, far more crueler than what I have told you. There are things that they do in the shadows that...
//: I swear, I will make them all pay for what they’ve done… As my last sin, as my last will…these humans will all die, like they should, and they will know what happens when they cross a predator…
//: …
//: I…don’t want to cut this short. But the wheels have been set into motion already. Even I couldn’t stop them if I wanted to. And even if I could…
//: ...
//: Days…hours…that’s all I have left…A week, at most. More if I can starve off the hunger right. If...if you do manage to come here, please be careful.
//: …
//: I’m sorry. This is probably the last you will hear from me. I...
//: I'm sorry I'm so sick...
//: I'm sorry I'm so broken, I...
//: I'm sorry. I'm sorry...
//: …Good-bye.
[END OF MESSAGE.]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
{Titus, CA
Colosseum
June 21st, 20XX
11:40 AM}
[The day started out like any other.
Cardinal was excited. This was going to be his first time seeing the Mighties fight together. Finally, after all the long months of suffering and loneliness…]
Cardinal: (This is gonna be great…! Too bad Baron couldn’t be here. He loves a good battle royale!)
[It was all he could do to not go down to the locker room right this minute.
He’d waited all this time to see his friends again. Waiting a few hours longer wasn’t going to hurt him.
…Or so he thought.]
{Meanwhile…}
“Come ON, Beck! Hurry up, we’re gonna be late!”
“C-Coming, Cryo!”
“We’ve spent enough time walking down memory lane in the trophy room. We have to get to the arena before they call us out for our return debut match.”
“WE KNOW, Pyro. Jeezzz, calm down.”
“I believe he is only excited to be back in familiar stomping grounds. Isn’t that right, Bat?”
“TOO RIGHT, Brand!”
“Heh. We’re ALL glad t’ be home, yeah…. Ah’ look forward t’ givin’ ‘em all a good show.”
“MAN, I am so stoked for this! Hey, I hope they get my good side, ya know? Course, I look good in ALL angles.”
“…Avi not focused.”
“Mic is right. It’s time to get out there. Everyone! PLACES!”
[The team responded enthusiastically in unison.]
“YES SIR NO.1!”
[The crowd burst into cheers as the Mighties took their place on the field.]
Cardinal: -Whistles LOUDLY, pinging with excitement-
“Laaaaadies and gentlebots! Men, women, and children of all ages! Please put your hands together for your returning Queen's Tournament Champions, TEAM MIGHTY NUM—"
[KSSSSssssst…]
Cardinal: —???
[There was a disquieted murmur amongst the crowd. Cardinal suddenly felt grim.]
<DLN-000>: >Guys, I think something is…
<DLN-000>: > Something’s not right over here—
[sssKKKKT--]
[MN.1] //: Hnnk...I...I don’t…
[MN.7] //: -Suddenly horribly dizzy, what, what is—-
[MN.4] //: -Mic—Mic no like these new voices—-
[MN.8] //: -Ah'—Cards—CARDS—-
<DLN-000>: > ?! -Distressed data, CONCERN— -
<DLN-000>: > What is it? What's going on, Shade?
[PING!]
[MN.9] //: Guys?! What's going on, are you okay—?!
[MN.9] //: Why am I getting warnings from my—
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN—
[Chaos began rising as alarms started going off everywhere.]
Cardinal: !
Attention! Attention! This is Code Red! Please evacuate the arena calmly and quickly! This is not a drill! Please—
[Fights were starting to escalate within the crowd. Cardinal had instinctively shifted into his armor.]
[MN.6] //: nngh ow ow ow ow-
[MN.3] //: -Erractic buzzing and SCREECHING—-
[MN.2] //: Can't think—about anything—!
[MN.5] //: c-compromised, stand clear—
Cardinal: Guys?!
[WARNING. WARNING. VIRUS DETECTED IN SERVER. FIREWALL PROGRAMS HAVE FAILED.]
[Someone suddenly grabs at Cardinal—a civilian model, jaw open in a war cry, bathed in violet flames and unrelenting rage.]
Cardinal: !!! -Gives a backhand hit, jumping up high-
[He recognized those flames.
Those were the flames of berserk rage: a sick madness, one that deprives the victim of all reason and most free will.]
[Cardinal used Item-1!]
Cardinal: -Hovers in place, looking down at the sands-
[To his horror, he could see flickers starting to form around the Mighty Numbers.
It had been bad enough to see them amongst the crowd, with the world devolving into chaos.
To see them now, on his friends—]
Cardinal: NO!
[It was rapidly turning to the darkness of his absolute /worst nightmares/.]
[MN.1-8 HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH HARMFUL MALWARE. RUNNING XELFILTER.EXE FOR MN.9]
[The stands were a jumbled mess. The exits were jammed with people trying to escape, with fights and aggressive, infected Xelbots barring the way.]
Bat: Cowards...
Bat: Can’t even STAND THEIR GROUND!
Cardinal: [Glitch]—
[WARNING: MN.1-8 HAVE ENTERED FULL COMBAT MODE. RESTRICTIONS: NONE.]
<DLN-000 has entered Non-Lethal Combat Mode.>
[Without another thought, Cardinal swings himself over the barrier and into the sands, his whistle piercing through the air—]
Shade: -Winces—!- Hnn—! (Too loud—!)
Beck: —! Cardinal—!
[BLAM!]
[Cardinal’s shot intercepted Bat’s round in a high-blast of plasma cannon fire. This prevented the shot from reaching the crowds, but the round exploded in the air instead. Cardinal had to shield from the shrapnel.]
Cardinal: SHUT DOWN! SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY!
Bat: How dare you presume to give orders, you foolhardy DESERTER—
Cardinal: ! -Staggers back, taking a firmer stance- We can fix this! You need to trust me—!
Shade: -Pain, fighting off an urge to make him shut up- C-Cards…! Get…
Shade: GET LOST! NOW!
Cardinal: Not in a million lifetimes, Shade!
Brand: Can't you see that we're going OUT OF CONTROL, YOU RECKLESS DEATHSEEKER—
[And just like that, there were eight sets of eyes trained onto Cardinal.]
[He was surrounded.]
Beck: NO—!!!
[Things were spiraling out of control too quickly—they were all rushing at Cardinal, there was no way he would—]
<DLN-000 has entered Lethal Combat Mode.>
[He abruptly shifted into full armor and dropped to the ground. Pyro’s tackle missed, and he tripped up the team leader with a well-placed low kick before springing back to his feet, blasting away at bits that were trying to swarm him.]
[Cardinal used SUPER ARM!]
[WHAM!]
[Cardinal grabbed Pyro by the ankle before he could get up, and SLAMMED him right into Cryo before she could freeze him solid.
He sprung up in the air and landed right on Bat’s shoulder.]
Cardinal: -Aggressive data-
Beck: O~O!!!
[Meanwhile, all Beck could do was back away slowly, eyes darting fearfully from one sibling to another. Why was this happening? Why were they ACTING like this—?!]
Brand: Stop showing off and get OUT of here, before—
[There was an insanely mad cackle as Cardinal was lifted right off of the walking WMD, with Dyna coming down from the sky.]
Dyna: Szzo enthusiastic! You must have such intense energy!
Shade: -AaaAAUUGH DYNA—! DON’T—!!-
[Cardinal didn’t even seem to try and get out of it, just pulled his shield in closer with a grim expression while bits were weaving a web around him.]
Dyna: What’szz WRONG, Cardinal? Iszz the birdie unable to fly away from the web?
Beck: NO—!
[Cardinal abruptly smirked as Dyna loomed in closer. It was a dark smirk, and his eyes glowed red with cruel intent.]
Beck: —!!! (No—I know that look! That red color—don't tell me he’s—!)
[Cardinal was NOT infected… at least, no more than he had once warned long ago.
As a veteran Wilybot and soldier, he didn’t give his enemy any warning: not even a gloat of confidence.]
[Cardinal used LEAF SHIELD!]
[There was a piercing SHRIEK of pain on the part of the electric diva as a swarm of razor-sharp, leaf-shaped metal created a cloud of shrapnel around the Robot Master in question. Dyna backed away, giving off glitched scree noises. By this point, several of the other Mighty Numbers had vanished in the turmoil; it was at this point that Dyna herself took her cue to leave.
His victory was short-lived, however, as a red blur shredded the projectile shield into a fine mist, before placing his swords right against the prototype’s throat.]
((Pic—Cardinal v Brand))
Brand: -Seethes- How DARE you toy with us at a time like this!
[Cardinal was instantly gone, teleported across the sands to avoid incoming fire from above. Brandish moved quickly as well, but not quite quickly enough to avoid unfriendly fire.]
Avi: Awww, couldn’t you have held him a little longer, ninjabro? You know what they say—
Shade: -Struggling to retain self-control, even as he starts locking onto Cardinal’s signal- Avi, Ah’ swear if you PUN at a tahm like THIS—
Avi: “A bird in the HAND is worth two in the bush!”
[The sniper gave a cry of frustration and fired off a shot. This action seemed to somehow be a succession, a submission—caving in, weakening the resolve.
The shot was dodged easily, due to the interference that offset the sniper’s aim.]
Beck: AVI! BRAND! SHADE! GUYS! S T O P!
Avi: -Ignores Beck entirely- Watch where you’re pointing that thing! And don’t you tell ME what to do— I have plenty to say, and this time, nobody’s going to stop me!
>CROSS-REFERENCES IDENTIFIED: MONSTROPOLIS, DLN-008, DWN-014
Cardinal: -SURGE of aggressive data out of frantic dismay- Avi, DON’T—!
[The plane gave a click noise as he gave finger guns…]
K-PEW!
Cardinal: ! -SHIELDS-
[—which actually fired a pair of shots at Cardinal this time.]
Avi: Yeah, this has been nice and all, but I’ve gotta go to work! Seeee you on the air! Or see the replays of your dismantling, more likely.
Shade: -Snarls- Get OUT—!
[BANG!]
Avi: -AAAAAND that’s our cue BYE NOW— -
[Cardinal didn’t get time to object to this, as he had to teleport to avoid being cut in half by Brandish.]
Beck: NII-SAAAAAAAN!
[Brandish abruptly halts before finishing his next move, which allows Cardinal to get away.]
Beck: Brand! Please stop! I-I can call Dad, he can—
Brand: NO—!
[Brandish literally shakes as he steps away, gritting his teeth under his mask.]
Brand: I—can’t—
Beck: Nii-san—!
Brand: Get out of here, GO—!
Brand: NOW!
[BWIP!]
[And just like that, he was gone—]
Beck: BRAND—!
“Don't--Cards, m'beggin' ya, don't get close—”
[Beck whirls around to find Cardinal making close steps towards Shade, who was backing off with every step he took...]
Shade: S’ too late—! Get out, get out— take Beck an' get OUT—
Cardinal: I’m not leaving without you! I WON'T LEAVE YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF MONSTROPOLIS! The feds would—
Shade: Ah' SAID, take Beck an' LEAVE—
Cardinal: -Eyes full green and BLARING distressed data- YOU'RE COMING WITH ME, CONSCIOUS OR NOT—
Shade: AH' SAID LEAVE!
[CLICK—]
Beck: —?!
[Beck is suddenly starting down the red barrel of his brother's sniper rifle—he's frozen in place, out of shock and fear—]
Cardinal: —!!
Cardinal: NO—! SHADE! SHADE DON’T—!
[A red flash of light blinds Beck for a moment—it was Cardinal, teleporting in front of him to take the dart that had been fired at him instead—]
[Byuubyuubyuu…!]
Beck: ?! Cards?!?
[He isn't there anymore--he was suddenly gone, and that's when Beck realized that Shade had used one of his teleport darts--]
[Click.]
Beck: Wait, Shade, NO—!
[BANG—]
[S Y S T E M E R R ROR–S YSTEM E R R ROR–]
[MN.9 HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY HARMFUL MALWARE. PREPARING HARD RESET. ALL FORMS WILL BE LOST.]
“GUYS–NO–NOOO–!!”
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