>>42687780

You think back to the meeting. "Black Mask, then? He's after all four of us."

Dwayne nods. "Looks that way. Except..."

"Except... what?" you ask cautiously.

"Couple of the men say they caught sight of one of the killings. Said it was Batman."

Your blood runs cold. The man whose been hunting you since you took this job. The man who knows your secret. And now he's killing people. How long until he gets to you?

"I thought Batman didn't kill people?" you ask.

"Eh. generally. 'Cept seems like every year or two he gets a wild hair and goes on a rampage. Old Boss said that different guys take over now and then, but... Well, ya learn not to take everything the Old Boss says at face value."

"Different guys? Like me?"

He shrugs. "I guess so, Boss."

A new Batman in town... And just as you are trying not to kill as the Joker, he's decided to go against his predecessor's code.


In the corner, the news is on. Prisilla Cris, better known to you as Holly, is on as usual, talking about the moral decay of the city.

"Look around you, Gotham. Look at how the dregs of this city are tearing themselves apart. And they're tearing us apart with them! And you just know the strikes are part of this little turf war. Organized crime in league with the labor unions, just as it's always been. The poor stick with their own and intentionally sabotage any attempts the rest of us make at making this city normal and healthy.

And Batman? The police chief's attack dog? He's out blowing up buildings and killing in the streets! Now tell me Gotham, does that sound like a 'Hero'?" She makes quotation marks with her fingers at the word. "No, Gotham. That sounds exactly like the Joker. So tell me, why are we trying bring in the Joker, yet leaving Batman free?"


(cont)

>>42688118

You smile. It's good to have at least one person on your side. Except... There's still that nagging suspicion. Somebody leaked the location of the meeting to Black Mask. In one of the four gangs there is a traitor, and Dottie is convinced it's Holly.

"So what's the plan for the day, chief?" asks Dwayne.

>How do you plan to deal with the situation with the Docks?
>What about Holly? Or finding the leak?
>And what about Batman?

>>42688168
>How do you plan to deal with the situation with the Docks?
Set up a trap and make in noticeable to were the new batman will easily see it but others won't.
>What about Holly? Or finding the leak?
Turn one of Holly's men into an informant by threatening his life and his family
>And what about Batman?
We still need clues to who he is, since he's a good detective wouldn't he find out the doctor is working for us or even Holly, we should make tracking devices like the bats does, turn his toys against him?

>>42688252
>make tracking devices like the bats does
Agreed.
But don't make them obvious, or themed.
Just a normal transmitter. No way to trace that back to us, or our location.

>>42688252
We could set up infrared nightvision cameras in the docks. Wotse comes to worse we pull our boys out. I think we should leave Holly and her boys alone for now, just look for evidence if there isn't any than it probably came from another gang. We need to think about who we want to send to penguin to be our inside man, get knock to bring some of his boys for an interview.
>it's probably manbat not batman doing the killings.

>>42688537
I say we shouldn't leave any stone unturned, we should still keep tabs on holly since we're the boss and she should understand why we're taking precautions to this. Who knows she might be hiding something else.

>>42688537
It's the creeper, most likely, but we wouldn't know that. And I could be totally wrong.

>>42688252

"Dwayne, this thing with Batman's got me nervous. We can count on the other players to all make rational moves, but if what you said is true, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to Batman's actions. Something changed. I think he might be planning something.

Batman's a detective, Dwayne. Believe me..." You think back to how Batman so casually called you by name on the phone. He new everything about you. "We have to have information to beat him. And soon. He could easily track Holly or Coal right back here."

"Then what's the plan, Boss? You already tried talking to him."

"The trick is, D, that we'll use his own tricks against him. You said he used transmitters, right? Well, he won't be expecting us to do the same..

We'll set a trap for him at the pier. Nothing big, just something subtle. He'll hit one of our guys or something and get tagged with a tracker. Following where he goes might give us a clue, at least. And let's throw up some infrared cameras. Let's see if we can't get a face to go with all these deaths. If it's not Batman, I want to know who it is."

"And what about Holly, boss?"

You can only shake your head. "I promised I'd talk to her. For now, we leave her alone. She's shifty, but as far as we know she hasn't betrayed us. But if it comes to it, maybe one of her men will be willing to talk. And... let's keep quiet about the plan for Batman while she's here."

"And what about the strike?"


"It looks like Scarface might bring the strike down himself if he keeps acting like this. I'm not sure what we can do without tipping things over the edge. Let's keep the pressure on, but don't make any moves unless I say so. This Batman thing's probably got him twitchy, too.

You call Holly's house, and leave an innocuous coded message. She'll understand the message. "We need to talk."

(cont)

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>>42689060

In the cool October evening, Holly arrives at the amusement park, chauffeured by two men in clown paint in an innocuous-looking car. Nice, but not ostentatiously so. The kind no one would give a second thought to.

She steps out of the car in her full gang outfit. Bubblegum pink hair, perfect makeup that toes the line between being clownish and avant-garde, and a short polka-dotted dress and boots tailor made to show exactly the right amount o skin, exactly when she wants it to. She sees you, gives you a huge smile, and runs towards you for a hug.


You can see that Holly is ready for a fight, and she's planning to fight it on her terms. You give her a polite pat on the back and pull away, returning her smile.

"Glad you could make it, Holly. Come down to the office with me. I've got some things to ask you."


She follows you into the funhouse, and back into the office. You both sit.

She leans back, and crosses her legs.

"Ah...Er....Right. First thing's first. How's the campaign against the Union going?"

She smiles. "Perfectly. The people already hated them; I just had to be the first to say it. And once I heard about their mob ties from an anonymous informant..." She winks at you. "Well, in good conscience I had to let them know what Gotham's workers were getting themselves into."

"Good, good," you nod approvingly. "And Batman?"

"Never a problem. The people have always been scared of him. Everybody's guilty of something, Boss. They just hope nobody finds out. Nobody likes having somebody out there that could be judging them, and just waiting to swoop in one day and carry them off.

No, Boss. They already hated Batman. But just like with the workers, they want someone else to say it first."

She looks thoughtful. "It's sad, really. They've got no voice, Boss. Everybody sits around in back rooms carving this city up like a goose, but the people can't say anything about it. And they never will. That's why they love me- I do what they want."

(cont)

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>>42689620

"And have you been speaking for anyone else recently?"

She blinks. "What do you mean?"

"Let me get right down to it, Holly," you say with a sigh. "The other night, someone tipped off Black Mask to our location. You were one of the first to find out that we were meeting with Scarface. And afterwards, the city was gassed with some of Scarecrow's stolen fear gas- who, I've been told, the old Joker had dealings with. And whoever it was used the construction from OUR bombings as cover to plant the gas.

Now Holly, listen." you look her deep in the eyes. "I'm not saying it WAS you. But I need to know for sure that it wasn't."

"But...but Boss!" Holly looks genuinely, deeply hurt. Even a little scared. "There's no way I could have planted the bombs ahead of time! I didn't know you'd be meeting with Scarface until the day it happened!"

"But Holly... Nobody did. It could have been premeditated. Besides, it's not the gassing I'm worried about. It's the tip off. You're always going off on your own..."

She looks like she might be on the verge of tears. "Boss, you know I'm busy! I have the foundation, and the show! And meetings and benefits! I have to work the whole city, Boss." She looks at you with her big, soulful eyes, tears welling in the corners. "And I do it all for you."

>wat do

>sorry these are so long. For once I have a full keyboard to work with instead of a cell phone touchscreen.

>>42689840
Crocodile tears aren't going to work. And yes, I know you're busy. All I'm asking for is assurance; some way that you can prove it wasn't you.
I expect the same of everyone within our family.

>>42689840
>"And I do it all for you."

"When you say you do it for me, do you mean 'Me Me' or 'Joker Me'?"

"Or is it for the idea of me, of the Joker?"

>>42689840
Is it really for me? Or is it all for you in the end?

>>42690059
We already know they'd all turn on us if the joker came back because of extreme loyalty.
although maybe since holly isn't she might be able to be worked onto our side when that happens but she is probably more scared of the real joker than anything.

>>42689840
Hug her and bring her close "well I'm glad to hear that and you wouldn't have a problem with my people joining your ranks and you giving me reports of your activity?" start playing with the flower "Oh you know what happens when family stab me from the back right, it'll be worse with every traitor and I was thinking of acid or endless laughing gas. What do you think?"

>>42689840
"Like I said, not saying it was you. I do appreciate the work you do for the family honestly, but your distant and that puts people on edge. For all I know clayface has infiltrated obe of the or more of the gangs and is fucking with all of us. Then the stuff at the docks someone is killing not only our guys, but others gangs are being hiy too, Some of the gang are saying its batman, I don't buy thst for one minute, but it wouldn't hurt if more people thought that batman has taking the plunge and has gone killer. I just need everyone close to home while things blow over."

>>42689840
Im not worried too much about it holly. If there is a traitor, they'll die if i have to chase them around the world. thats all there is to it.

>>42690049
>>42690059
>>42690065
>>42690162
>>42690202
>>42690225
Wombo-combo!

>>42689840

"I'm not saying it was you, Holly. I appreciate the work you do for the family. But you're distant, Holly. It puts people on edge. They think of you as an outsider. And Clayface is loose, too. For all we know, he could have infiltrated one of the gangs. Hell, he could be in all of them. But somebody out there's fucking with us, and I need to know who. I'd like to put some people in your ranks, Holly. Just to keep an eye on things. And you can have your people keep an eye on them- that way, we'll be able to spot any inconsistencies."

She nods. "Yes...That should be fine. They'll have to follow my orders while they're in public though. They can't go blowing their cover walking in in clown paint and baggy pants. I'll bring them in as... stage hands or something. Contractors for the foundation."

She smiles.

"There's a benefit coming up in a few days, and I could use some extra hands anyway. The girl doing the performance is terribly particular."

"Don't go thinking this is free labor, Holly. I want you on the lookout. There's somebody at the docks killing our guys. And the other gangs too. Some people are saying it's Batman, but I don't buy it. Might make for a good news story though. But the point is, I need everyone close to home for now."

"I've heard about the killings," she says. "People are saying it's just more gang related deaths. Are you saying it isn't?"

"Not from what the men said. And it seems inconsistent, like there's no plan to it. Which is odd for Batman too, actually. We're going to try and catch him with some cameras, ad maybe get a tracker on him. See where it leads."

"I can get you cameras, Boss. I'll have them sent over once I return to the office. Perhaps we could have a juicy story for tomorrow's news..."

"Thanks, Holly. Don't worry about the traitor, either. Once we find out who it is..." You pointedly adjust the acid-flower on your lapel.

(cont)

>>42690651

"Tell me one thing though. When you say you do everything for me, Holly, do you mean 'Me Me' or 'Joker Me'?"

She looks you dead in the eyes. "...Do you still think there's a difference?"

This stuns you for a moment.

"I just want to know if you're with all the rest of us, or if you're just out for yourself."

She gives you a smile, the dim, flickering light from the old bulb above making the shadows dance over her face. "Boss... Do you really want to know what I want?"

Holly leans forward from her chair, placing both both hands on the desk in front of you. She crawls onto the desk- and towards you...

>wat do?!

>>42690651
Op didja forget something there?

>>42690866

MOTHER FUCK

Sorry.

>>42690651
>>42690853

>>42690853
Didn't we just put the moves on Dottie the other night, plus we know holly is a manipulator we can be friendly with her hell we can be her friend, but I don't think we should cross the line with her it'll only allow het to sink her hooks in.

>>42690853
Nope not doing that. You get my dick and next thing you want more and more control of things. Get out and do your job.

>>42690853
Yep not having any of that, time to make like a Harem protagonist and scram.

>>42690853
Politely but firmly deny. We do not want to try and harem our gang

>>42690942
Plus I don't she'd be our type, we seem to have a thing for smart and/or loyal girls and Holly is a bit too much of a valley girl for my tastes.

>>42690853
"Oh, I think I know what you want."

>Cream Pie to the face

>>42690942
dottie did turn us down though, and hollie seems like she'd turn against the joker if it benefitted her. the others are all lifers.

She's just doing this to throw us off. It's gonna be to blue-ball us. We have to show we're not afraid of boners/tits and take the upper hand.
Lean forward, give a theatrical sigh "Oh no. I knew it would happen eventually. Every time I work with a woman, my devilish charms win her over in the end. Sorry Holly, but there's only room for one woman in my pants, and that woman is Gotham. Nothing personal" And pat her on the tit.

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>>42691079
>>42691128

>>42691079
If we don't keep a pie in our desk for special occassions like this, we've failed as the joker

>>42691079
This.

So much this.

Our hidden desk pie.

Such a wonderful thing, and we finally get to use it!

>>42691079
Do this

>>42690853
>Cream pie to the face.
Sorry, it's been a rough day.
I appreciate the thought, but...no.

quick aside, we are thinking about solutions to the joker coming back and killing us issue. what if we just took one strait from his book and fake our death and maybe hand off power to some scrub college student?

>>42691128
This

>>42691201
Do to someone else what the joker did to us? Eh, I'd like to see of we could maybe do thay for Dottie too she was borb to the streets and had tp gang up to survive if we get out I say we take her with us to give her a new lease on life as well, give her the chance at life she didn't have before.

>>42691201
i think we should pull a big boss and hypnotize some cunt into believing hes us and then we skedaddle

>>42691258
*do that, *she was born

>>42691258
jokers reaction when he gets back would be great.
"well lets see how Jr's doing.... who the heck are you?"

Why don't we walk in Joker's shoes until it's him that walks like us?

We're gonna need a chemical bath, though.

>>42691310
It would be funny of we actually were the jokers kid, but I doubt.

>>42690853

"A...uh, pie in the face?" you ask. You dearly wish you had one on hand.

Holly puts in her hands on your shoulders, gently but firmly, and pulls herself in towards you. Her face is so close to yours that you can feel her warmth- shallow, hot, fluttering breaths against your cheek. The earthy smell of grease paint, perfume, and woman fills your head.

She whispers into your ear.

"Everything."

She tries to slide off the desk into your lap, but you quickly stand up. She's left sitting with her legs dangling from the desk, looking at you in surprise and confusion.

You try to give her a disarming smile. "I knew it would happen eventually. Every time I work with a woman, it seems like my devilish charms win her over in the end. Sorry Holly, but there's only room for one woman in my pants, and that woman is Gotham. Nothing personal."

She returns your smile- like a hungry animal.

"Boss... I AM Gotham."

She hops off the desk, and goes to leave. "I'll have your cameras sent by as quick as I can." She gives you a little wave and a wink. "Call me!"


Holly steps out of the office, and closes the door behind her.


You really wish you had that pie right now.

>>42691457
Warm apple?

>>42691457
Did we uh just get a crazy yandere stalker. . . Damn it.

>>42691457
>You dearly wish you had one on hand.
GOD.
FUCKING.
DAMMIT.
I FUCKING CALLED THIS. We need to always have a pie on hand. ALWAYS. Not having one gave Holly the upperhand here and made us look like the fucking weak college kid we are. We need to put her in her place, and that means pie to her face on her show on live TV with no prior warning.

>>42691542
Do we have any engineering contacts? A rocket-propelled pie would be amazing.

>>42691457

>"Note to self: Get a cream pie in the office."

>"Oh, and some whipped cream cans and pie tins too."

>>42691577
We could pie the man in the moon with that level of technology! It would be the Prank of the century, though the pie would have to be ginormous to be seen from earth.

quick idea, for the next round of joker gas, we should see if coal can get it to bleach skin white as well as the normal effects

>>42691615
Regular Joker gas does this, though that's mainly because its a killer joke. Speaking of Cole are we ever going to get her started making Gut Buster?

>>42691542
>she starts fear-mongering

>suddenly a clown bursts out of the ceiling mission impossible style and pies her

We need secret agent clowns.

>>42691651
I just remembered an idea for a new drug. A combination of the smilex and Scarecrows fear toxin to create a compound that switches back and forth from causing intense fear to uncontrollable laughter.

I call it Shits 'n Giggles.

>>42691762
hey that's actually pretty good

>>42691762
>>42691770
Side effects may include mild hallucinations, hysteria, uncontrollable laughter, inability to frown ,paranoia, loose bowels, incontinence, and diarrhea.

>>42691698
I didn't know how much I wanted that until now.i must have a tactical pie clown team. Just train the hell outta the most level headed of the gang by having them pie the lieutenants. Tell them what's happening of course. The last test tomorrow update be to pie us.

>>42691833
>The last test tomorrow update be to pie us.
No, the last test would be to pie Quincy Sharp or something. Don't ever teach your own men to target you.

>>42691851
You're shitposting right now. Hide the thread and be done with it.

>>42691881
Pst don't feed the troll. Ignore and report, don't give them any fuel.

>>42691875
True. I was thinking just have them pie people who piss the joker off or who would be funny to see get pied. And nothing wrong with the pie, no chemicals nothing bad just a good pie that you get hit with.

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>>42691457

True to her word, Holly has a few night vision cameras sent over. Poor image quality, but wireless - they'll be transmitting directly to a drive back at base. If a camera is lost, there is no tape to lose with it.

"Dwayne, let's get these down town. Have the men keep them on hand and recording. If they get attacked, I want to know about it. I don't want them sacrificed, but.."

He nods in unspoken agreement. "I gotcha Boss."

You have Spike brought in to monitor the feeds.

"Surprised your mom let you come out this late, Fatstuff." says Knock.

Spike looks upset.

"Nah," says Dwayne. "I had a talk with Karen. I think she's just happy he's got some friends."

"I'm ain't never callin' you DAD, D!" snaps Spike.
You begin the long, uneasy wait. Sure enough, just past midnight, you receive an alert from one of the men. Spike turns on the camera feed to find it shut off. He rolls it back; you watch the screen flicker back on and the lens un-break. The camera rises from the ground, and a splatter of blood flies past it. For a few frames, a strange black shape comes into view, huge, sneering, and ragged.

Spike catches the clearest frame, and enlarges it as best he can.

"Well," says Dottie. "It's A bat alright."

>wat do

>>42691698
>>42691833
>>42691875
They should target public officals, and when the sneak they have a stereo or speaker play the mission impossible theme song. Everyone will know they're coming but won't know from where, and since it'll just be harmless pies to the face everyone can get a nervous (because they'll know we can get to them anytime anywhere.) laugh. Oh and they have to dress like ninjas with big red fake noses and neon colored wigs.

>>42692035
>tfw clown ninjas know everything
>they've pied Bats, Alfred, Sharp, Scarecrow, everyone but us
>we don't even see them anymore, they just show up in the news
>famous person pied

>>42692023
Would Man-Bat be a well known figure to the public? Kirk Langstrom himself then?

>>42692023
Guess they got "Man-Bat" right. Have any of the others seen anything like this before? Ask Spike to look up anybody (scientists, researchers, military people) who could be capable of something like this.

>>42692023
Weeell. Fuck. So what is it? No really the fuck is that thing? Also we need tactical ninja clowns for pieing people.

>>42692023
"Don't get me wrong, but isn't that more of a manbat than Batman? Still send a copy to holly and have her try to pin this on the Bats anyway, also maybe send a copy to Pengy, Scarface, and Two Face, that might give the last two something else to chew on. Meanwhile pull our men from the docks no sense ricking anymore of them. Oh, and someone get me Cole and Condiment on the line I've got the idea for a new drug, and those two need to meet anyway, I need a stash of pies. . . for reasons."

>>42692073
Even, no especially Lex, and Supes.

>>42692181
*risking

Lets just start recruiting hard counters to the Higher up Henchmen right now for when the joker comes back. Also we could slip slow weak poisons to them in the morning and then give a half dose of antidote at noon and then another half at night. We die, everyone goes down

>>42692324
We like Dwayne, Knock, and Dottie. Not to sure about holly she's going yandere on us though so I'm not sure what to do about that.

>>42692324
I feel like getting Bane in the mix would be a better plan. By the time the Real Slim Shady comes around we might be able to hire him without getting our spine shattered.

>>42692023
We can pin this on the bat since it has it's logo on it, have holly do the work and we should steal the airways and send a message to batman and give him a warning if he doesn't back off Gotham will suffer the consequences.

>>42692679
>logo
I didn't even see it there

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>>42692023

"I'd say. Looks less like a..." you begin.

"-a Man-Bat," interrupts Dottie. "Langstrom. Every once in a while he gets pissed off and dopes up on some kinda mutagen. Plays werewolf for a coupla days 'till Batman knocks him back down a few. Doesn't never really target anybody else though."

"Something at the docks, you think?" suggest Spike. "Maybe he's tryin' to steal something held up in the harbor."

"Makes sense," says Dwayne. "Getting the docks locked up gives him a chance to swipe whatever it is he's looking for."

You think for a moment. "But he's targeting our men. It doesn't make sense. If he wants something, he should just take it and be done with it."

"He must be workin' for Black Mask, then. Mask could be sendin' him like an attack dog." says Knock.

"...I dunno," says Dot. "Doesn't seem like Kirk. I ain't never met him when he goes all, ya know-" she snarls and makes her hands into claws "- but he don't like to take orders."

"...Then maybe he's the one givin' the tipoffs?" asks Spike. "Could he have tracked you down, changed back, then called up Mask?"

You think about it. "I don't know. Now that we know what we're dealing with, we can come up with a plan of attack. Spike, have Holly sent a copy of the tape. Have her pin the killings on Bats. And send a copy to Peng, Harvey, and Scarface. I want them to know that while they're busy squabbling, we've all got a killer on our backs. Knock, pull the men from the dock. I don't want to waste any more of their lives than I already have.

We'll give Coal a call tomorrow, and see if she know anything about Langstrom."

You reconvene the next morning, and decide what to do moving forward.

>>42692771
>"I'd say. Looks MORE like a..." you begin.

>wat do

>>42692023
Just did a quick search on nightmare batman.
It's the perfect mix of hilarity, horror, and weird. And I love you, OP.

>>42692805
Ask to speak to dwayne and knock alone, we need some guy advice, we need someone to cock block holly for us she's getting alsorts of creepy stalkerish, also ask them why Dottie is so shy, and what they think she feel towards us if anything. Then laugh and seriously suggest to them the ninja pie squad.

>>42692805
See if we can get Holly to run a story on Man Bat, call Coal about her initiation, and talk to Nightjar about what Man Bat wants at the docks

>>42692808
I just read the wiki article as well and all I can say is... "WTF"

>>42692873
Remove the Dot thing and this is ok

>>42693037
We did make moves on her, why is it wrong to ask advice about ladies from our bro's?

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>>42692808
>>42693004

>QM NOTE: I used the pic of Nightmare Batman because it was still monstrous, but looked enough like Batman to leave the benefit of the doubt in your minds until the reveal.

>I apologize for any misleading metaknowledge. Dottie is accurately identifying Man-Bat.

>>42692963
I know we can just tell Condiment King we think she has a crush on him, he's sp desperate he'd probably dog her everyday all day trying to get some.

>>42693147
It's okay she's still best clown girl.

>>42693147
That's alright. I got to learn about nightmare batman, and that makes me happy.
I love learning about the weirder comic book characters. like Detective Chimp.

>>42693155
He might squirt his mayo everywhere at just the thought.

>>42693551
Kinky.

>>42693551
How can one squirt their last name? That doesn't make sense anon

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>>42692771

"Hey D, Knock, lemme see you in the office for a minute."

The two follow. "Whatcha need, Boss?" asks Dwayne.

"Listen guys, I had some trouble with Holly earlier..."

Dwayne holds his hands up. "Wait, don't tell me Boss. I don't wanna know the details. But I warned ya, Boss. She's gonna lay it on pretty thick. Girl's used ta gettin' what she wants."

"Yeah well... How can we get her to stop wanting it?"

"Kid," says Dwayne. "Ya want Holly to stop wantin' somethin' from ya, ya either give it to her, or ya make sure ya ain't got anything for her to want in the first place."


Knock considers something for a moment, then speaks up. "Could try to set her up with Kommander Ketchup. Guy'd probably end up hot doggin' her all day tryna get some."


Dead silence.


"You know, Hot Dogs. Mustard, Ketchup?" he says, a bit embarrassed.


"On a more serious note, I was thinking about a new branch of the organization. Some specialists, psy-ops types. Clown ninjas. Ninjas with pies. I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out- we make sure they're trained in getting in and out of places unseen. We make sure they can hit anyone, anytime.

But it's harmless. Just a big joke. It'll get Gotham scared, but there'll be no harm done. Plus we can call on them if we ever need to get in somewhere quick and easy."


"It...might work," says Knock. "We got a few guys with those kindsa skills, but no experts. Couldn't hurt to train some up, I guess. Or go recruiting."

"I might know a guy that could help with the training." says Dwayne. "Busted out of Arkham a little ways back. Can't nobody keep him in. Master at lock crackin'. I'll get him in touch with you."


"Thanks D. And... uh, one more question guys... It's about Dottie..."
(cont)

The suspense is literally killing me.
Please don't kill me OP.

>>42693773
Let's hear how our romantic endeavors fuck up our gang

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>>42693773

They roll their eyes.

"Oooh boy," says Dwayne. "I saw this one comin'. You two been gettin' reeeeal friendly recently. I seen you two playin' grabass while you been tryna stab each other or whatever in the mornings."

You're a bit thrown off guard. You didn't expect this. "Well... uh, I was just wondering why she was being so shy, ya know? Maybe wondering if she... ya know, felt anything about me...?"

You give him a great big grin and two thumbs ups.

He gives you a look that says it all- "Is dis nigga serious?"

"Kid, you're a shrink, ain't ya? Or at least a junior shrink or whatever? Ya saw Dot's chart back at Arkham, right? 'Schitzoid Personality' and all that?" asks Dwayne. You nod. "Yeah, well, see? I ain't sure Dot feels mucha anything."

Knock takes a serious tone with you. "Thing about Dot, Boss. She's been through the wringer. So she ain't real comfortable with mucha anything goin' right for her. And if it does... Well, it tends to go BAD wrong, real fast. Probably lets her feel like she's in control of somethin'."

"You just remember them other gangs a her's, boss," says Dwayne, dragging his thumb across his neck for emphasis. "We'll all handle the Bat tomorrow."

They both leave you alone in your office.
That probably could have gone better.

>>42694071
Yeesh that was awkward

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>>42694071

>>42694071
I am not surprised at all. What else can you expect when you ask your gang members what they think hooking up with the CRAZY of the CRAZY gang?

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>>42693773
Off topic, but I hate all the faggots that wrote about the six flags New Orleans and brought the "urban explorers" who trashed the place...

Original pic related. We did a lot of guerrilla shows, parties etc back in the day....

If anybody's unclear on the symptoms of SPD, here's an article by our good friend, condiment king.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoid-personality-disorder/basics/definition/con-20029184

So anyone down for taking Coal up on her creampir offer?

>>42694222
HOLY FUCK I'M IN A THREAD WITH GROPEY!

>>42694292
Who's Gropey?

Captcha just made me call bleach a drink.

>>42693492
watch Brave and the Bold

also keep reading ;^)


>>42694222
>gropey is itt
Absolutely based. Shame to hear about people fucking shit up though.

>>42694245
>mayoclinic

oh my god

>>42694222
Gropy, what is your Clown-based wisdom on what we should do?

>>42694315
Well known namefag, a clown, knows a lot of things about clowns

>>42694315

The Clown Prince of Teej

>>42694315
He's this anon who does crazy stuff, is essentially a living random encounter and has a few screencaps. Also the best clown of all time.

>>42694343
I dunno. Im not actually following the thread, just saw the clown head.

I am a batman geek and have gotten into clown related criminal activity during Katrina. Give me a quick rundown of your current situation, and I shall offer assistance.

Pic ironically related, my ex is wearing a Harley Quinn shirt while being eaten by the clown....

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>>42694495
Whoops.

When everyone gets used to the harmless pies we should start swapping them with acid at random.

>>42694245
This, they aren't crazy they just have problems with social situations and are shy and awkward. It doesn't meam tjat she doesn't want friends or that she isn't interested in us. All it means is that she is a loner, we shouldn't force her into things, and of we are going to pursue a relationship with her that she'll want it to be a very private thing. In anycase we are a psyche major maybe we can getbher talking and help her work through her issues.

>>42694495
College kid forced to take over the jojer's gang, after he "died" comic book style.

>>42694495
We are a Psychology major that was forced into becoming the new joker after the last one quit/retired/went on holiday/died due to batman. I'm crap at summary though so maybe another anon can chime in and fill you in on more details.

>>42694612
I mean the immediate situation.

>>42694612
Jojer?

>>42694495
We got hooked into being the "New Joker", after the old one "died"

We're dealing with Man-bat eating our dudes, Black-mask trying to push in on our territory and who might be working with Man-bat, and in....argument with Two-face allied with Scarface. Also someone got their hands on Scarecrow's formula and released it, everyone is blaming us.

One of our crew might be a traitor.

>>42694635
See >>42694651

>>42694495
A psych major got Shanghaied into running Joker's Gang, shit happened, and now we are hitting on a gang member who has many mental issues. Also, she may have a habit of slaughtering her old gang members and all of our bros think this is a bad idea. Opps.

>>42694644
Yeah.
Jojer.
You know, like "Jojer's buzz are advent year"?

>>42694635
Love cube, between hawt yandere newscaster (that works for us. We do not want.), a cute cola lieutenant that jas emotional and social issues, and Chem Prosser Milf.

>>42694704
*professor

>>42694651
Traitor is most likely a Clown lady who's day job is being a newscaster.

Since, ya know, we were told not to trust her. And that the LAST traitor, the one who shot us, was said to run off with "his girlfriend and the floozy"

We know his girlfriend, bitch got played and worked for Penguin, only floozy I can think of is Hollie.

>>42694740
Why is that the only thing you corrected?!
What's a cola lieutenant?

>>42694772
THE PEPSI/COKE WARS RAGE ON IN THE FAR FUTURE

>>42694766
Also, we killed said traitor, after letting half our gang torture him.

>>42694651
Manbat? Constant calliope music that has a commercial ultrasonic bat repellent thing that you get at the hardware store to keep them from roosting in your attic.

>>42694772
Dottie is a mix between Hispanic and Native American that's why I referred to her as cola. She is cute and she is one of our lieutenants.

>>42694833
Clever.

>>42694833
Gropey, that's brilliant

>>42694833
IT'S PERFECT!

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>>42694071

The next day, Holly is on TV, reporting on Batman's recent vicious string of murders. "Vigilantism is one thing," she says, "but now he's murdering people! I'm not saying they don't deserve it, but who is Batman to decide who lives and dies? And where are the police!? I'll tell you where- standing back while they let a monster do their jobs for them. Is this what this city has become?!"

She's whipping them into a frenzy.

"Tonight, the Take Back Gotham Foundation is having a benefit concert. The proceeds are going directly to help the city, folks. My colleagues and I are making sure every dime is spent on keeping YOU safe, instead of going into some dirty politician like Gordon's pockets."

Of course, you know where the money is going. Into Holly's pockets. And Coal's. And probably a whole slew of other wealthy bloodsuckers.

Nightjar comes in. "Mister Cobblepot got your tape. It was very... Enlightening."

"Has he heard of anything Langstrom Could want being held in the docks? Maybe in customs?" you ask.

She shakes her head. "Nothing I can think of. Most things of significance come by truck or air; the shipyards and trains mostly just move freight. I highly doubt the Man-Bat has an interest in entering the import/export business."

"We also thought it could be working for Black Mask."

She thinks for a moment. "That seems more likely. Though why use the Man-Bat to attack your men at the dock the same night he attacks you face-to-face? Unless he expected not to kill you, of course.

But it seems an uneven gamble, doesn't it? Either he kills you himself, or his monster kills a handful or so of your men. It doesn't seem balanced. He could simply have brought Langstrom with him as insurance, like Mister Cobblepot and Magpie." She straightens her suit. "...And myself, of course."

You hadn't considered this.

>what do?

>>42694925
Follow Gropy's advice >>42694833
It'll be a good stop-gap while we look into what the fuck Langstrom wants. Also who is framing us for Crane's gas

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>>42694836
>>42694772

I think he meant "chola"

>>42694925
Prepare with >>42694833

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>>42694651
As for the whole scarecrow thing, be like the two best jokers (Hammil and Nicholson), and have a "heart to heart pirate TV broadcast. In a robe, by the fire, drinking a cup of tea.

"Now, I know there is a lot of crazy talk about me spreading the fear toxin... But let me assure you all; if it was me, YOU'D BE DEAD!"

>>42695054
would be a good idea normally, but we have been trying to keep the body count down compared to the old joker, heck we even made a less deadly version of the joker venom

>>42695054
We HAVE been doing a lot of TV Broadcasts, like a LOT of them. I can't believe we didn't think of something so obvious.


We'd need to included something about Fear gas being boring, it doesn't even make anyone smile

Oh goody, we're back, wish I'd noticed sooner!


Hmm, Gropey's suggestion should be good as a stopgap. Otherwise, we need to figure out Manbat's pattern. Does it have a specific place it's guarding, or is Langstrom just rampaging?

I also concur with the other clowns about pies. If we don't have pies stashed everywhere in our hideout, we're not Jokering properly.

We should also start planning another heist after we take care of these niggling issues. I've got the feeling we're gonna need a cash boost over our merch sales.

>>42695135
It's called Lying bro. We've been doing it alot

It's the joker who's behind this

>>42694833
>>42695054
Why do I have the feeling that this is less "what the quest character should do" and more "this is what Gropey would do"?

>>42695139
inb4 we knock fear gas on live tv and Crane gets pissy and it becomes this weird contest of one-upmanship.

>>42695236
Because you're a dick?

If he's got creative ideas that work why wouldn't we use them?

>>42695236
We've been doing shit like this pretty often, basic stuff that a normal person could think of to try to desperately salvage our situation.

And We've done like seven or eight TV broadcasts

>>42695248
I approve

i'm fairly sure we got a 'moth man' signal a few threads ago, are we ever going to actually do something with that?

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>>42695151
>a stopgap.

End game includes giant hooty-owls with realistic moving head and glowing eyes.

>>42695236
Because it is. I am a professional clown and was raised on Batman. Some people have post-apocalypse/social breakdown fantasies. I have circus themed criminal empire fantasies.

>>42695298
>Moth Man working with Joker fighting Man-bat for control of the skies
This needs to be done

>>42695305
Gropy you da clown! I like the way you think.

>>42695305

Needs a giant mango as bait or no deal.

And you're not the only one who dreams of running a Circus of Crime. Harrowing, but ultimately more fun compared to the alternatives.

>>42695325
Don't bats eat moths? I see that encounter ending tragically.

>>42695357
They can eat upwards of a 100 a night, they can almost eat a thousand mosquitoes a night too.

>>42695305
Any reason issue 6 and 7 are missing from the archives?

>>42695397
Wut?

>>42695397
he has literally provided links to those in the op.

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>>42687780
Man this quest's gotten me in the mood for some clown stuff. I might go watch IT soon.

On a somewhat related note, can someone just jump into a season of American horror story without watching the ones before it?
(Saw this pic and it's got me interested)

>>42695480
I think he mistook you for QM

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>>42694925

"I think we need to get the Fear Gas situation under control first," you say. "Dwayne, get me Spike. It's time for an emergency broadcast of Jokervision. And get Red, too. I've got a plan that could use his special effects skills, and I'd like to keep Holly out of the loop for a bit."

"What's the plan for Red?" asks Knock.


You fold your hands on the table in front of you. "It's simple. We kill the Man-Bat.*"


Once again, it is afternoon. And once again the televisions of Gotham flicker, and all eyes are fixed upon your white smiling mug.

You take a drink from said mug. Your face ain't half bad either.

"Remember kids, get your parents' credit cards and head online to get your own official Joker Merchandise. You wanna be just like Uncle Joker, don't ya?"

You place the mug on the coffee table. Once again you are on your "study" set in the recliner. Your old friend Max's dried blood and brain tissue still clings to the walls.

"Now, let's get down to business, Gotham," you say seriously. "I've heard that you've been blaming that little freakout last week on me. I'm hurt, honestly." You shake your head sadly. "I thought we all knew each other a little better than that. I thought we'd... Really gotten to know each other.

Somebody tell me what's so funny about everyone screaming for an hour, then getting up and going about their business?

If it had been ME, they'd have been screaming for a lot longer, and I'd have been sure to leave 'em smilin'! HA HA HA HA HA!"


The broadcast cuts.

"There," you say. "That should throw the police. They know the Joker would always take credit for his crimes."

You go out to check how Red is doing.

"How's it coming along?" you ask. The clown is still chewing the smoldering stump of a cigar as he hammers inside the back of the old calliope.

(Cont)

>>42695546
Yes you can. They are only tangibly related at best.

>>42695546

Yah, they're all standalone seasons, with throwaway references to the others.

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>>42695546
American horror story is shit. Go watch Vulgar, and Shakes the clown while on nitrous oxide.

>>42695645
These are on the ever expanding list now

>>42695741
What list?

>>42695775
Probably his list of "shit he should watch"
I keep one too.

>>42695775
Of movies I want to see. Sorry I wasn't clear, it's a bit late and I'm some what distracted.

>>42695480
Sorry, thought you were the QM.
>>42695496
I meant on Suptg, little weird having it skip from 5 to 8.

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>>42695577

"Damn thing was busted up, but I think I got it holdin' together. You just start her up, then flip that there switch-" he points to a single messily-wired switch hastily rigged to the side of the machine, "-and your little bat zapper'll be up and runnin.'"

"Excellent." You say. "And the tracker?"

"'Sright here, cap'n." The man hands you a tiny nondescript piece of green circuitboard and wire.

"Then let's go hunting."

This time, everyone goes. You, Red, Righty, Lefty, Spike, Dwayne, Knock, and Dottie all get ready to leave the amusement park..

"Hang on..." You say. "Dwayne, put in a call. I want our friend Mr. Mayo on board for this one."

You eye the strange spot-light that's been sitting disused.

"What the hell. Let's go all in."

The ride down to the docks is a quiet one. Eight clowns piled into a van, a calliope behind their vehicle.

You pull up to the docks, just past dusk...

>>42695857
It got mis-archived twice

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>>42695951

Once you arrive, however, a group of suited men with guns are there to stop your path.

"Hold it, clowns." they say. Scarface is tired of youze guys tryna butt in on his territory. The strike ain't your business, pal. So why dontcha take yer little circus and clear outta here?"


>wat do?

>btw recaptcha is a fucking goddamn PIECE OF SHIT

>>42696311
"Oh, well I guess we can go home then. We're were just here with our Bat zapper trying to take care of that problem thats been killing you little guys, but od you want to be bat guano then we'll by all means leave and let you have it. You here that boys lets pack it in, it looks like the chaps want to die."

>>42696361
I like this

>>42696361
Seconding.
>"Well boys, you heard the little blockheads. They absolutely, positively do not want us to try and stop them from being HORRIBLY MURDERED by a certain OVERSIZED RODENT."

>>42696311
"Oh dear, seems we've been had. Excuse us, we're just a couple of exterminators going to deal with a Bat problem. Had a couple of calls talking about distended, mutilated bodies and thought we'd lend a hand. Would you boys know anything about that dreadful news?"

>>42696311

You throw up your arms in relief.

"Oh, good! Guess we can go home then. We just brought out this here Bat zapper. We were planning to take care of the thing that's been killing you guys. But hey, you wanna be bat guano, you got it.

You hear that? Let's pack it in, boys! We'll leave these gents here to die. You heard the blockheads. They absolutely, positively do not want us to try and stop them from being HORRIBLY MURDERED by a certain OVERSIZED RODENT."

They look to one another.

"Tell ya what, clown. Why dont'cha leave dat there thing here, an' let us take care of it ourselves?"

They ready their guns.

"...Before we take carea you first."

>roll 6d6

>>42696486
That lend a hand line really should come with a detacheable prop hand trick. It's, like, mandatory. Plus, fake limbs are just flat out useful.

Rolled 1, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 = 19 (6d6)

>>42696536

Rolled 2, 6, 2, 1, 1, 5 = 17 (6d6)

>>42696536

Rolled 1, 6, 3, 4, 3, 4 = 21 (6d6)

>>42696536
GAS GRENADES!

Rolled 1, 1, 6, 4, 5, 3 = 20 (6d6)

>>42696536

Rolled 4, 3, 2, 5, 1, 2 = 17 (6d6)

>>42696536
C'mon, YAHTZEE!

Rolled 3, 3, 4, 1, 4, 2 = 17 (6d6)

>>42696536
Dice are not being noce tonight.

>>42696536
Good thing the calliope is just themantic clownery, and ACE hardware has ultrasonic bat blockers three for $19.99

And be sure to use your points card.

>>42696543
>1, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6
>3 successes

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>>42696536
From out of an alleyway, a stream of red and yellow liquid sprays over the gangsters. The three closest gangsters have their eyes and faces completely covered by the fluid- the others are surprised.

"The hell?!" one shouts.

"Hey hey, boys! Thank's for givin' me a chance to KETCHUP!"

Condiment King comes running out of the alleyway. He effortlessly swaps the tubes of his guns to different canisters on his belt, and the red and yellow ooze is replaced by a pulpy green slime and a frothy white mess.

"Alright, boys. Circus is in town!" you say as you activate the calliope. A cheerful bit of recorded circus music begins to play- now all you have to do is wait for the Bat, and you can activate Red's Bat Zapper.

The three gangsters take aim with their machineguns, and open fire on your crew.

You hear shouting further down the docks.

>roll 6d6
>tell me quick- what do your people do? and who does what?

Rolled 4, 4, 6, 6, 3, 5 = 28 (6d6)

>>42696735
You beautiful SOB

Rolled 1, 6, 3, 4, 1, 5 = 20 (6d6)

Knock probably starts firing back. Dwayne gets out of the way. And Dottie, well, time to start taking out the trash.

Rolled 4, 3, 5, 1, 5, 4 = 22 (6d6)

>>42696735
Take the bat zapper with Lefty, Righty, Dottie, and Knock to the screaming.

>>42696778
Damn.
Them's some nice dice yeh got there.

>>42696778
This is me and I support >>42696799

>>42696799

Sorry, to clarify, Dwayne gets /us/ out of the way.

Oh, and Lefty and Righty can haul our Bat-Zapper to cover for us.

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>>42696735

>>42696778
>four successes

Four of the gangsters' bullets find their marks. One of Condiment King's hoses is severed by a bullet, and the car is struck by two. One pegs the calliope, and manages to ding one of the pipes; one of the notes it lets out is awkward and out of pitch.

Condiment King does a baseball slide towards the men with his working gun pointing at them, and lets loose head-on.

They do not RELISH the experience.

"Knock, Dottie! Get them! Lefty, Righty- Help me get the Bat Zapper closer to that shouting! Dwayne, cover me! Spike and Red, you guys just come with me!" you shout.


Knock gets out of the car and opens fire with a machinegun. Dottie, pistol in one hand, knife in the other, jumps onto the hood of the car and fires directly at the crowd of condiment-coated thugs.

Unfortunately, you find out what the shouting was about-
alerted by the noise, the striking dockworkers and rival gangsters alike all pour out of the nearby warehouses.
...Just then, there is a crushing sound. The side of the wooden pier begins to buckle, and some of the encroaching men begin plummeting into the water.

>roll 5d6 for Dot and Knock
>and tell me what everyone else is going to do!

Rolled 1, 4, 2, 1, 1 = 9 (5d6)

>>42696983

Rolled 4, 5, 1, 2, 6 = 18 (5d6)

>>42696983
Head back see if you can flank the gangsters knock is dealing with.

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>>42696983

>>42697025
>one success

One of the gangsters is struck dead by the gunfire. The rest begin to recover, and reach for their guns.

"Guys, let's see if we can help out Knock and Dot. Maybe we can flank those guys!"

Lefty and Righty turn back and give the calliope a shove as it runs over the remaining men. Bones are crushed under the heavy wheels, and one has his neck snapped by the sudden collision.

"Or that. That works too, guys."

From the water, a huge black and white creature rises from the sea and begins smashing some of the men, scattering them into the water.

Meanwhile, while the black-and-white beast smashes at the men, you a few from the back of the crowd are picked off from the back, pulled into the water in a bloody waterspout.

Red recognizes an old friend. "The hell's with the freak show?!" shouts Red.

>your whole team is free, what do we do!?

>>42697211
We'll I for on think we should of brought a camera so we could record this for posterity, but seeing as we don't, and as that doesn't look like a bat, I'm thinking this is a job for our local pain un the neck to deal with. Let's go home, at least we bloodied Scarefaces nose.

>>42697256

Bah, don't be such a fuddy-duddy. Can't leave so many witnesses to the Joker tucking tail. Let's cause some more mayhem!

>>42697211
Get the bat-zapper out of here and use the chaos to retreat with our guys. We'll figure something out after we figure out what this is.
Too much of a killer croc vibe happening here for us to risk our guys.

>>42697331
>black and white thing out of salt water.
I think you mean Shark-King

>>42697309
>>42697331
>>42697211
We'll just set up a bit closer inland or something. This isn't a retreat. It's force management, an unknown threat occurred ask Red what he's on about.

>>42697355

That is not King Shark, sadly. That is some sort Orca Lady or such, it eludes my knowledge.

>>42697355
Shark-King is a myth, you believe in the Easter Bunny too?

>>42697371
It's Orca.
She's big.
And...
Orca themed.

Not much else to say, really.

>>42697211
Why not just dip the zapper in thecwater to electrify the thing? Have our guys distract it while we move in.

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>>42697211

"Guys, something's wrong! Langstrom isn't here!" you shout. "Let's get the hell out of here!"

As if on cue, you feel a rush of wind against your back- the Man-Bat is here- and he's trying to snatch your friend! The sheer bulk of the boy seems to surprise the bat; he lurches in the air near the ground, unwilling to let the kid go.

There's no need to think of what to do. You activate the Bat Zapper, and a deafening noise
joins in with the calliope music.

The bat tosses Spike into a nearby building with a thud, wheeling in the air as it's equilibrium is made unstable. The other monsters take note of you, but are too engaged in their killing spree to attack.

The Man-Bat flies away. Quickly you rush to Spike. He is dazed and bruised, but otherwise fine. He gives you a thumbs up.

"Got 'im Boss. Tracker's in place."

You give him a hearty slap on the arm. "Good man! Now let's get out of here."

You abandon the Bat Zapper, and all pile back into the van. You take chase.

"What the HELL was that, guys?!" asks Condiment King, excitedly.

"Hell if I know. Red, you seemed to know those guys?" you ask.

"Yeah, one of 'em. Thing in the back was what got me and the big boys in the sewer at Arkham. Don't recognize the other one though."

"Boss," says Spike, nervously checking his laptop monitor. "We got more to worry about here.

Langstrom's headed for Holly's benefit."

>>42697456
>what the FUCK do?!

>>42697467

Guess we're crashing Holly's party boys. She can cry if she wants to later

>Lock and load

>>42697467
Like we do with every other friend with benefits situation. We beat it up and run before the crying starts.

>>42697456
>Orca in the sewers, not killer croc
It's like you're using our limited knowledge of the comics to guide us to one conclusion, and then blasting it out of the water with a B-lister.

>>42697519
>QM NOTE

>sorry, I guess it wasn't very clear. It was both Orca AND Killer Croc.

>>42697456
We have to help her BUT it also seems that Holly might control ManBat

I dont know....should we wait a bit or should we jacked some uniforms to mask our presence??

>>42697467
Call holly and cole and warn them to seek cover, they've got an uninvited man-bat, and we'll be gate crashing in after it.

>>42697604
I'm assuming we have a cell phone and number to call them with.

>>42697456

"Hope you've all got your dancing shoes, boys and girls. We're crashing Holly's party."

"Boss," says Dottie. "You said Coal knew about Crane's gas, right? Shouldn't we give her a call first? She might know somethin' about Langstron's formula too."

You nod. You don't want to admit it, but ManBat running straight to Holly seems too convenient... Could she really be behind all this?

You dial Coal's number. She takes an uncomfortably long time to answer, but finally she picks up. "What do you want? Your floozy's already got me sitting in on her little benefit. She said she wanted the ones providing the cures for Gotham's diseases here. And her main act never even showed. Zarana or whatever. They had to get some local nobody to do it."

"Colette, none of that matters. Listen, Langstrom's the Man-Bat again, and he's on his way there. We need to know if you know anything about his formula so we can stop him."

"What are you going on about? There's no way Langstrom could be using his formula."

"I think Spike would beg to differ, Coal! We just fought him off. We're following him with a tracker right now!"

"And I'm telling you that's impossible!"

"WHY?!"

"Because Langstrom's part of my committee as part of his parole! He's been sitting next to me all night!"

>wat do

>>42697719
Then someone else has figured it out Coal! In any case get ready for things to be very violent!

>>42697719
well were following someone straight to you, so prepare for impact. Also, It might be clayface your sitting next to, just saying. You should prepare for incoming in 10, because this parties about to get crashed.

We may need to stop at an ammo dump real quick and get some proper party favors, sounds like we'll be a hell of a show stopper. Also, the real Batsy might show up and it would do for us not to get caught with our overly sized pants down.

>>42697719
Someone is stealing or reworking the various Chemical Concoctions of the Villains of Gotham.

We need to be on the look out for Venom Users and our own Smilex.

FUCK

>>42697984

Does anyone feel like we're the canaries in a coal mine?

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>>42697719

"Well then Coal, somebody else has figured it out! Things are about to get very loud, and very violent!

And that might just be Clayface next to you. Be careful."

"Wait, Clayfa-"

You hang up. You decide not to risk calling Holly. If she's behind all this, you don't want her knowing you're coming.

As you come nearer to the concert hall, remember something you brought with you. "To hell with it" you say. You open the sunroof and stand up, pointing the small spotlight at the sky.

A strange yellow sign is cast upon the clouds in the darkened sky, the tail of the beam pointing directly to your location. "I hope this works..."

Finally you arrive at the concert hall- from the tracer, the Man-Bat is already inside. The slick, expensive posters out front seem to have read simply:

"ZATANNA
TONIGHT ONLY"

However, they have all been hastily been covered by strips paper advertising:

"THE ENTRANCING
DOCTOR CASSANDRA SPELLCRAFT"

"Coal said the headliner bailed," you say. "Might be related."

"I'll stand guard out here, Boss," says Red. "Don't want some other monster or somethin' sneakin' up after us. God knows there's enough of 'em."

Condiment King makes a final adjustment on his replacement hose. Both guns are back in working order. "So how are we entering, boss?"

"Best be sure we stock up from the van though first," says Dwayne. "Don't want to go in unprepared. I made sure we packed a little of everythin'"

>You have these team members:
>Righty
>Lefty
>Dwayne
>Knock
>Spike
>Dottie
>Condiment King
>Red (will be staying with the truck to watch the entrance)


>Tell them what weapons to take, and how to enter the building
>we really, REALLY need to decide Wat Do this time

I'm feeling shotguns tonight. Lots of up close damage, but won't do as much damage to people that we aren't close enough/trying to hit. If the Man-Bat get in our face, we'll be thankful for it.

Hmm....

Why the hell is Spike along again? This does not seem to be anywhere in his wheelhouse. The little squealer can wait with Red, don't want Dwayne to have to explain to his mother what happened.

Speaking of Dwayne. Him, Righty, Lefty, and CK can take the roof and work their way down. Us, Dottie, and Knock will go in the front door with a nice healthy

"Gooooooooood Evening folks! We hate to pre-empt tonight's entertainment again, but we got a call that there was a bat in your belfry! And we're here to exterminate....." ID any suspcious targets in the crowd (Holly, Coal, Langstrom) Blast any cops or security that get too frisky, and start working towards the tracer source. Everyone stays in communication with either burner phones or talkies. Sound good?

>>42698040
Red will do a Twitch and plant some IED flame traps all over his perimeter. Give him an SMG for extra kick. Right and Left get assault rifles and cover the boss. Dwayne gets the shotgun and do crowd control. Knock and Dottie gets SMGs and be the first to neutralize any potential enemies. Spike will stick with either us or Condy, and give him a pistol - we don't want him scoring blue on blues. Condy's to play the middle-man, alternating between attacking with Knock and Dottie and giving us covering ketchup.
As for us, we're going to crash the party.
"Apologies, ladies and gentlemen, tonight's gala will have to be suspended because someone called the exterminators. Did they still serve bat legs at these kinds of parties?"

>>42698140
>>42698117
Mix these, I like the shotgun Idea

>>42698140
Nah....this means that they know we are chasing the man bat. Better if we go:
"Apologies, ladies and gentlemen. Uncle Joker heard about ruining the laughing gas so he decide to... Why is there a batman here? Oh well...more fun with the new batch"
Just to throw them off

>>42698177

Nah, we can play it off like we heard Batman's here.

Holly can roll with our punches easily. If things go a touch sideways, we can use her as a "hostage" to extricate ourselves.

>>42698040

"Shotguns, guys. We'll be in close quarters, and if the Bat gets in our face we'll be able to hit card. Good for airborness, too.

Red, I want IEDs on the perimeter. Take an SMG just in case. Spike, go with him- get yourself a pistol. Your mom'll kill us if anything happens to you.

Dwayne, take a shotgun. Twins, grab a couple of rifles. D, take those two and Condiment King in through the sides. Do a little Crowd Control if necessary, and cover us. Me, Dottie and Knock are gonna go straight in the front.

You all split up, and you enter directly through the main entrance. Inside, it seems the guards are not yet aware that anything is wrong.

>wat do

>>42698238
"Did somebody call the exterminator? We've heard you've got a bit of a flying rodent problem, now if everyone would kindly get on the ground or under a table for cover we can begin our inspection."

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>>42698267

"Somebody call the exterminator, boys? We've heard you've got a bit of a flying rodent problem. Now if everyone would kindly get on the ground or under a table for cover we can begin our inspection."

The guard is unflinching in his resolve. He reaches for his radio, and tries to begin speaking.

"THE JOK-"

BLAM

You blow a hole in the man's unprotected face with your shotgun. On cue, your two companions fire upon the other guards before they can react. It couldn't have been helped, really.

Inside, you can already hear screaming... But it had already begun before you killed the man.

You enter the doors into the theater. On stage, a middle-aged woman in flamboyant garb is standing on the stage, a glittering golden fog pouring from the stage around her face.

"Joker? What're you doing here?" she shouts over the crowd.

People are already beginning to panic. And some in the lower part of the theater are starting to laugh...

>>42698391
holy shit we just straight up merced that guy? IS that the first guy we've killed personally?

>>42698406
Tophat.

>>42698391
forgot my
>wat do

>>42698461
.... i completely forgot about tophat

>>42698391
"Big Flying Rabid Man-Bat thing, my friends and I are here to put it down, last I checked it should be here by know. Want to lend a hand or duck for cover. Maybe if Batman shows up we can tag team it. Oh that'd be just like a buddy cop movie!"

>>42698391
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Please sit, enjoy the music, and the golden showers. I'm hunting wabbats."

>>42698500
"It's been flying around terrorizing citizen, being who I am I had to intervene. I mean it's trying to steal my job."

>>42698391


You fire your shotgun into the air. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Please sit, enjoy the music, and the golden showers. I'm hunting wabbats. Big Flying Rabid Man-Bats, to be precise. My friends and I are here to put it down, and last I checked it should be here by now. Heard it's been flying around terrorizing citizens, and being who I am, I had to intervene. I mean it's trying to steal my job!

So either lend a hand, or duck for cover. And maybe if Batman shows up we can tag team him." There is a panic in the audience as people try to rush for safety.

She gives you a smile. "Guess you met my main squeeze, clown. Figured you showed up hacked off about tonight's little show. Come from a long line of Alchemists, Joker- and I turned your little smokebomb trick into a gold-medal performance!

Why don't you clowns come on up to the front row? Everybody else is having a real gas!" She laughs.

In the rush to escape, a woman crashes into you- Prisilla Cris, your daytime television nemesis. She looks you in the eyes, and shrieks, holding her arms up in front of her for "protection-" and providing you with an easy way to "kidnap" her. You grab her by the arm and shove her between the three of you.

Suddenly, from behind the curtain appears the Man-Bat. "Much more impressive than a rabbit, eh folks?" says Cassandra. From behind, you see your people enter through the emergency exits.

>wat do

>>42698667
Open fire on the stage. "I can't believe we're doing Batmans job for him. . . I wonder why he isn't here yet, I've been making plenty of noise. . . So what's you're deal. . . Cansandra was it? What's with the Gaint bat-boy-toy and the steering up of trouble? Not that I'm against a little trouble."

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>>42698667

"So what's your deal, Cassie? What're you and your boy-toy doin' stirring up trouble in my town?"

She snaps her fingers, and the hulking bat-beast leans over her, shielding her from possible gunfire. "Lead into gold, daddy. Just takin' a much easier rout to it than the rest of my family ever did." She pulls a jewel-encrusted gun on you. "I got the lead, and they all got the gold, dig?"

"Doesn't explain the Man-Bat there. Or the way you gassed Gotham."

"Private contractor, man! Just had some special orders. And part of that was to hit this joint tonight."

"You're contractor's been after me and mine, Spellcraft," you say. "And the rest of Gotham's crime families. Lot of people in this town looking for his head on a platter."

She looks nervous. "Yeah? Well I ain't sellin'"

With that, you order your men to open fire. The Man-Bat leaps into action, as Spellcraft tries to duck away behind the stage. The Man-Bat rushes straight forward.


>Roll 5d6 for your crew to hit Man-Bat, and 4d6 for Man-Bat to hit y-

Before you can react, there is a crash from above.

A caped figure drops in front of the Man-Bat, grabbing him by the neck and tossing him into the theater seats.


"You're not Batman..." sneers the helmeted figure.

Rolled 2, 6, 5, 5, 6 = 24 (5d6)

>>42698922
Rolling to shoot the guy anyways, because why not? Try and tag cassandra as well, possible in the shoulder.

>>42698667
Well, order lefty and righty to stop the bat grabbing you, then make some kind of "pull" joke where sauce guy uses hid acid and everyone else uses shotties to put the beast down. (Posting at a dead time)

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>>42698922

The helmeted man throws back his winglike cape, each of the four panels spreading in a different direction like the wings of some huge primeval insect. The brilliant colors of his uniform seem to say only one thing: "WARNING." He draws a gun and fires from the hip at the creature, a weblike substance spreading from the bullet's point of impact and entangling the creature.

The creature struggles, and while it is disabled, the creature is shot three times in the torso. Dark black blood seeps from the wounds, and it lets out a pained high-pitch screech. One of the boys pegs Spellcraft in the shoulder, and she falls to the floor in pain.

Coal rushes over, a suited man following behind her. The man runs to the side of the Bat.

"I...I could have been ruined! The would have blamed ME!" says the man. "Tell me who you are!" he shouts, pounding the creature's chest.

The Man-Bat slowly loses shape, hair receding into the skin, muscles growing thinner, and bones cracking back into shape.

"I don't believe it..." says the man. "You're..."

(cont)

>>42698994
oh shit, was it clayface double transforming?

>>42698922
Oh, cool, Moth-man.
And he just fucked up Man-Bat.
Well, shoot the shit out of manbat

>>42698994
see if we can grab cassandra in the confusion

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>>42698994

"...I have no idea who you are." says the man with a sigh.

"Cabala," he coughs. His wounds grow shallower as he returns to his human form, but he is still in pain. "Almost had 'em, eh Doc Baby?" he says, flashing a grin at Spellcraft.

"Almost." she says sourly, lying on the ground in pain.

The man kneeling over Cabala stands and approaches you. Cautiously, he offers you a hand. "Langstrom. Kirk Langstrom. You've just saved my reputation, Joker. Perhaps my life. They've given me a chance to earn my way back into society. I nearly lost it."

Coal looks him in the eyes. "Of course. And I trust that I can count on your discreteness as well?" Her eyes glance towards you, then back to Kirk. He nods silently.

>wat do

>>42699048
round them up, exit stage left. Toss holy aside uncermoniusly, Claim credit for doing batmans work / talk to mothman?

>>42699048

MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE

"...and so D and my mom's been hangin' out a lot recently, yeah? You don't think that means-"

Red's face is in his hands as he sits on the edge of the truck's open rear. "Kid," he says through his hands, "I'm beggin' ya. Can ya just shut up for three seconds?"

"REEEEEEEE"

Red looks at Spike. "The hell kinda noise you just make, kid?"

Spike looks confused. Then both Red and Spike look up.

"Oh hell."

>>42699067
Still voting this, buy i guess in a more timely manner?

>>42698994
... man-bats, moth men and a bonkers broad all about gun-slinging and bling in one night?
>Look around at the crowd, Pris included of course, faux shock and dismay
Is it just me, or is this place a loony bin?
>timing beat

>>42699048
"I suppose this is the part where I'm supposed to shoot you.
Well, Kirky boy, do you feel lucky? Cause I can't remember if I fired 5 times or 6.
However, given that this is a double barrel, I can't see how I could have done either of those.

Now get out of here while I decide what to do with these two."

>>42699075
Oh god, they've been attacked by a wild Pepe!

>>42699048
Kirk isn't who you should ve saying that too. >>42699102
I say we grab those two and split we can find out more about them back at base.

>>42699075
RUN BITCHES

>>42699128
>>42699128
Maybe even recruit them to our side if we patch them up. Also we need to thank Mothman.

>>42699048
>>42699075

"Alright boys," you say. "Let's round 'em up." The boys move in to seize Cabala and Spellcraft, with Lefty and Righty both picking one of the bleeding criminals up and carrying them under their arm.

"Thanks for the help, friend. Got a name?"

"Moth." He says, the sound muffled and rasping through his helmet. "Killer Moth. Batman's arch-nemesis. Figured you'd use the light to signal me when he showed up... Guess we'll call this one a free sample.

After this, though..." He makes a gesture indicating money.

Outside, you hear explosions going off. And gunfire. "Spike!" shouts Dwayne. "Red! Shit!"

You hear more shrill noises coming from the roof, and the glass ceiling collapses in on itself.

Five more Man-Bats begin circling the room. Some of the few remaining people in the room are killed by falling shards of glass, but most are only scratched up. A trembling, delicate hand finds its way into yours and holds on tightly, as the bats get louder and draw closer.


>wat do?!

>>42699147
Fire up the calliope music, obviously. Or did we ditch that? Anyways, we must find an alternate bat-man-man-bat-repellent!

>>42699147
Whos hand? Is it coals or holly? This matters dammit.

Second, I say we fire at the man bats, and evacuate.

>>42699147
"Technically these are Bat-men. We'll definitely have to acquire your services another time."

>>42699147
"I'd say your free sample just became samples. Everyone! Away from the windows! Stick together! Langstrom! How do we knock-off the knock-offs?!"
"Wait...fire extinguisher...fire extinguisher..no..bombs won't do here damn it, maybe rerouting something through...YOU! The trollop on the television! This shindig have a PA system?"
"And get me your crystalware!"
Strip the wire out of some thing, we still have the tracker, use the crystal and reverse our tracker to create a broadcast of it's signal, tweek it to the appropriate frequency to wreck manbat ears. And be quick about it.

>>42699147

"You want Bat-Men, Moth? I got plenty to go around."

You hold your shotgun with one hand towards the Bats, the small hand still clinging desperately to your own. You can't risk looking away.

"Everyone... I think we should back away... Very slowly...."

A body huddles up near your back. There is a loud noise in the entryway, and you feel the body jump. You all wheel around, and another of the Man-Bats tears the door of the theater from it's hinges.

"Alright, guys. Scratch that."

"This...This ain't what I agreed on, man!" shouts Spellcraft, nearly in tears. "They just said for me to make the one batch! Said they only wanted one Bat!"


>your party
>You (Shotgun)
>Dottie (Shotgun)
>Knock (Shotgun)
>Dwayne (Shotgun)
>Condiment King (Condiments)
>Killer Moth (Cocoon Gun)

>Coal, Kirk, and Holly are unarmed (?)
>Lefty and Righty are carrying prisoners


VS

>5 bats in theater
>1 bat at entrance


>WAT DO
>A
>T
>D
>O

>>42699229
head for a service exit, guns blazing. Aim for center mass, harder to miss.

Spout more quipy joker one liners

>>42699219
>>42699147
Meanwhile Moth, CK and the gang keep the guns up, if fans are available CK should whip out the mustard and send the vapors out the windows. Or at least spray lines near/on windows. Really whatever will mess up manbat senses the most.
"Anybody got flashbangs? Moth? Might not be the worst idea to make these rats blind and deaf! Then they oughta be sitting ducks!"

>>42699229
Unload on the one bat.
Maybe flashbang the 5. While they're incapacitated the one is all set for mass shooting. Then we hit the five before they shake off the effects. Maybe wound instead.
Get everybody out as soon as we can though.>>42699229

>>42695857
That was during the anti-quest fag wars. An anti-quest asshole might have intentionally misarchived them.

>>42699229

"Looks like our free sample just became samples, Mothman. Away from the windows, boys! Keep those guns up!

Kirk, got any idea how to knock off your knockoffs?"

He huddles into the group. "I'm...they're sensitive. Sensitive senses. Noses and ears."

"Condiment King, you hear that?" you say, backing away from the huge creature coming in from behind you. "And tell me you've got flashbangs in that belt, Mothman.

Mitchell Mayo makes a quick adjustment to his belt, then gives a smirk and raises his guns. "Good thing I mustard up the strength for this one, partner!" He unleashes two yellow streams from his guns towards the five circling bats.

Killer Moth tosses a a grenade from his belt, which explodes in a blinding flash of light and sound.

While you are all still reeling, you shout to your men, "Now! The one by itself!"

You unload your shotgun as your eyes recover.

>roll 3d6 for Condiment King, 2d6 for Moth, and 5d6 for everyone else. (10d6!)

Rolled 3, 1, 3, 2, 4, 2, 4, 5, 3, 6 = 33 (10d6)

>>42699351
heres hoping

Rolled 4, 2, 2 = 8 (3d6)

>>42699351

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>>42699351
>Condiment King = 0,
>Killer Moth = 1
>Everyone Else = 3

Condiment King lets loose his mustard, but the bats avoid the narrow streams. However, Killer Moth's flashbang is enough to ground them temporarily- they all shake their heads, reeling from the attack.

Your shotgun blast tears a hole in the bat's stomach while other gunshots tear into its hide. Professor Coal reaches into her jacket, and tosses a small vial at the beast. It shatters, as clear fluid begins liquifying a patch of its wing.

It staggers into the room and tries to swipe at you with its claws, missing handily in its dazed state.


"Let's go, people!" you shout, as your group files out past the blinded, screeching bat. You all run to the van, and find the ground outside the theater pockmarked and flaming. The van is undamaged. Inside, a terrified Spike is huddled behind his pistol.

"Red ran off," he says. "Hit one with a firebomb. Told me not to wait up. He might be..."

"He's always wanderin' off," says Dwayne, helping people into the back of the van. "Probably beat us back to base." Despite his words, he doesn't sound sure of himself.

Once everyone is safe and accounted for, you all drive back to base immediately, civilians and Moth included. The entire ride, Dottie sits just beneath the skylight, watching he open sky, gun at the ready.


Back at the theater, in a skybox, a woman with lily-white skin and a black dress lies back, reveling in the chaos. Within a more minutes, though, she is gone- just before the first lights of sunlight peer in through the demolished roof of the theater.

>>42699469
so whos holding our hand?

>>42699469

Back at base, most of you enter the main hall of the funhouse in shellshock. No one speaks. No one knows what to say.

Red is nowhere to be seen.

Nightjar, however, is already waiting on you. "Where the HELL have you all been? Who are these people? What happened out there?!"

You ignore her for the moment. You figure now that everyone's gathered together, you've got a chance to ask some burning questions.


>DWAYNE
>DOTTIE
>KNOCK
>SPIKE
>PRICILLA/HOLLY
>NIGHTJAR
>COAL

>KIRK LANGSTROM
>SPELLCRAFT
>CABALA
>LEFTY
>RIGHTY

>wat ask? (if you need privacy, you've got it nearby)

>>42699510
but op, who was hand?

>>42699510

You think back for a moment at that small trembling hand that held your own so tightly while you were under attack.

You have no way of knowing whose body it was that pressed against your own in fear. When the Man-Bat burst in behind you, you all scattered and turned.

But you do know this: it was a woman.

>>42699510
>CABALA
Who the fuck are you

>COAL
Why were you carrying acid that potent in your purse

>SPELLCRAFT
Who are you?

>DWAYNE
>DOTTIE
>KNOCK
>SPIKE
You guys all right?

>SPIKE
You think you should head home?

>NIGHTJAR
Anything happen while I was out?

>Everyone
You all ok?

>>42699510
>KIRK LANGSTROM
>CABALA
Okay Man-bat-men, what and who were those ripoffs? Sure it's a blast and a hoot, no that's owls, but where are their wonderful toys? If they want to be the Bat,they need Bat-belts, Bat-armour, Bat-nipples and Bat anti-shark sprays. I just want to scream at them to get it together you know, no respect at all.

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>>42699686
>NANANANANANANANA BAT NIPPLES!

So, which 4+ of these symptoms of SPD do you think Dottie has?

Neither desires nor enjoys close relationships, including being part of a family
Almost always chooses solitary activities
Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person
Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities
Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives
Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others
Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affect (emotion)

>>42699510

Both Killer Moth and Condiment King finally enter the funhouse basement- Condiment King seems to be talking Moth's ear off, in contrast to the relative silence of the rest of the group/

You sit down with a sigh. "Everyone okay?"

Everyone looks at one another, before gently nodding. Aside from a few scratched and bruises, no one is hurt. Physically, anyway.

Excluding the two people you shot, anyway.

You put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "Hey there, Spike. Shouldn't you be getting home, champ?" He looks at you in fear, and shakes his head quickly." Dwayne speaks up from the corner. "I'll take him home in a few, Boss. Probably a good idea to see if Karen's alright too. Might be best to call first, Spike." Spike gives Dwayne a sour look, which quickly softens. "Yeah, D. Good idea." He pulls out a cellphone and heads to the back room of the hall. You hear the beginnings of his conversation thorough the door. "Hey, Ma. Yeah, it's Chris. Just wantin' to make sure you were doin' alright. Yeah, some stuff downtown I heard..."


You turn to Nightjar. "Anything happen while I was out?" She seems troubled. "Plenty. The dock strike ended."

"Oh, good," you say. She continues. "...Because the dockworkers are dead. A whole new labor force will need to be hired and trained. It will take months before we recover. And Scarface has declared an open war on you because of it."

You try to explain, but she seems nonplussed. "Yes, boss. I'm sure Woody will love to hear about how Batman, Godzilla, and Shamu decided to take up union-busting. He's definitely the time to let himself be swayed by a good, well-reasoned argument."

...It sounded much more impressive when you told the story.

>ask Nightjar anything else?

>questions currently queued for
>SPELLCRAFT
>COAL
>CABALA
>LANGSTOM

>DWAYNE
>KNOCK
>DOTTIE

>>42699771

Yes.

heading to bed op, you have a good one. Am eager to see if we can determine through questioning who was hand

>>42699879
>Dwayne/Dottie/Knock
What was the deal with Shamu back there?
>Privately figure out how bad our boys on the street got hit.
>Also privately, see if Coal can figure out so sort of man-bat-man mace that isn't an actual mace.
Talk showmanship with Spellcraft, fairly genuinely, but mix in leading questions to hopefully get her to open up about her boss. If that doesn't work or we get the inkling Cabala knows similar things we open one up in front of the other, slowly, to get the other to talk.
Still I'd prefer to do this without blood.
Do we know hypnotism? Was that in our psych courses? I mean it could've been, for hypnotherapy reasons.

>>42699879
>Kirk
So roughly how intelligent is a Man-Bat in that state?
>Coal
Think we might be able to whip up large qantities of anti-man-bat gas? I mean, seems like it might be a necessity in this town. Kirk! How do we reverse the Man-bat transformation?
>Dwayne/Knock
Have Dwayne check if Holly's okay after a bit. Have the both of them get the lay of the land after what happened tonight.
>Dottie
Try to remember where Dot was since she was probably shooting things.

>>42699879

You approach Miss Spellcraft. Professor Coal is already talking to her, and bandaging her wound.

"I've been shot before, you know," you say.

"No kiddin'?" she asks. "An' did they take you prisoner too?"

"No," you say awkwardly. "I, uh... killed him." She gives you a smug, forced grin, then turns away.

"Just who are you, anyway?" you ask.

"Doctor Cassandra Spellcraft," she says proudly. "Of THE Spellcrafts. Like I told you, famous Alchemist family. Transmutation of matter, universal solvents, all that."

"...Ritualized chemistry, basically." says the Professor. "Chemical formulas tied up in religious mysticism. It's sort of fascinating. The sort the doctor's family seems to have practiced differs from that passed down through more public texts, however."

Spellcraft beams. "We don't call it the Secrets of Alchemy for nothin' babe."

"I take it your family were talented alchemists, then?"

She falls silent. "We- er, well... We're good at MAKING the things. It's just... keeping them that way."

The Professor continues, "Joker, all those people in the crowd had our cure, yet were still affected by Miss Spellcraft's gas." She gives her a smile. "And I'd be willing to wager I know why."

"Try me, doll." says the Doctor.

"The nerve receptors. Joker's gas works by attaching to the nerve receptors and scrambling the signals. Our cure simply introduces a compound into the user that the gas will bond to instead, bypassing the nervous system of the victim. But all you had to do was introduce a compound for the cure to bond to instead, right?"

The Doctor smiles, and gives a nod. "...Probably. There's different terminology. I wouldn't expect you to know it right away."

You interrupt their back-patting session.

"It seemed like you have a flair for showmanship, eh Spellcraft? I consider myself a bit of a master..."

"Then you get it, right? I like my shows to be outta sight, man! Nobody's gonna know I did it unless I do it loud and proud, dig?"

(cont)

>>42700272
Bump and Nightjar gets it in one

>>42700272

"I most definitely do 'dig,' Doctor. But there's one thing I'd like to know..." "Yeah," she says. "I know. Who hired me. Sorry to say but I never met the cat. Did everything through the mail, and paid upfront. Cash. Never suspected they were tryin' ta make more Bats... Like I said, they only asked for me to make the one, and have him let loose down towards the dock."

"And when was this, Doctor? This is important," you ask. "Month or so ago."

Her words stun you.

"Are you telling the truth, Doctor? The night that attack occurred, I was in a meeting that had just been planned that morning. So there's no way they could have asked you to attack it a month before." She throws up her good hand. "Hey man, I'm just tellin' you like it is. I couldn't have got Langstrom and Crane's chemicals if it had been they day of, could I?"

"Unless you already had them," you press.

She shrugs. "well, I guess that's somethin' for you to decide on your own, man."
You leave this difficult question and turn to Coal.

"...And you. Why did you have such a strong acid on you?" She gives you a stern look that makes you feel two inches tall. "...For exactly what I used it for, of course. I didn't expect working with you to be a cakewalk. And look, I was right." She looks over the rim of her glasses at you. "...As usual."

"Can you help us work up something that could harm the Man-Bats? Some kind of Man-Bat mace?" you ask. "Of course, I already have something worked up." You are surprised. "Were you planning on Langstrom turning on you, or...?" "Oh not at all," she says. "I just like to keep some around. You see, it's called 'Actual Mace.'" She drops her sarcastic tone. "Any kind of mace should do. Langstrom said their noses and ears are sensitive. Spraying some kind of mace at or near them would disrupt their senses. Or at least make them more upset."

"When you get a chance, Coal, I've got some new ideas for merchandise I'd like to run by you. I'll just leave you with a name:

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>>42700394

"Gutbuster."

"It sound absolutely vile," she says.

"Perfect. And don't forget, we still have your initiation to do..." She tries to stop you, but you are already gone.

"Well, nice to meet you, Cabala." you say to the tanned, dark-haired man. Most of his clothes are missing due to the transformation, but he still wears a few shreds here and there, allowing him to maintain his decency.

"Nice to meet you too, man." he says with a smile. Sarcasm is not his strong suit. "You killed a lot of my people," you say. "And man," he replies. "I'm real sorry about that. Ain't much decision makin' gets done in that big bat head, dig?"

"Cabala, just who are you?" you ask, a question that has been nagging your mind since you met. "Hey man, I ain't nobody. Just been me an' Doc Baby together for years now." He turns to the Doctor and gives her a wave, and she blows him a kiss back. Like schoolchildren. "Oh she's the brains of the operation, no doubt," he says. "But I always support my chick."

This man is a buffoon, you think. And not in a good way.

"And who were the other Bats?" you ask. He shrugs. "Guess whoever hired the Doc decided they wanted their own."

"Langstrom, how smart are the bats?" you turn to the man. "Smart," he says, "but animalistic. They can reason within limitations, but are overwhelmed by simple urges. It's not a pleasant experience."

"Now, Joker- I appreciate your help, but I must be going. If the police see me with you it will be a violation of my parole. I could end up in jail again. And please- don't try to contact me again."

While you could snap at the man for talking back to the Joker, you let him slide. You only wish you had the ability to simply walk back into your old life...

>>42700480

You go to Dwayne and Knock.

"Guys, what's the lay of the land right now?"

"Ain't lookin' good, Boss." says Knock. "we're about to go into open war with the other gangs, and we still got Black Mask's crew to worry about. Ain't gonna be no talkin' this one out"

"So we're agreed, right?" you ask. "All of this is the work of Black Mask's crew. It's the only thing that makes sense. "I dunno, boss." says Dwayne. "Somethin' just don't feel right. This doesn't seem like a False Facer plan, you know? It don't seem like there's nothing to gain, you know?"

"Do either of you know the details on those monsters from the dock?"

"Big Green's Killer Croc. Mean motherfucker with a skin condition." "I'd say." You remember how the creature attacked and pulled the men underwater. "Cannibal?" "Nah," says Knock. "Just sharp teeth."

"And the other one?"

"'s Orca." says Dwayne. Not sure her deal. Showed up not long back.

"Speaking of showing up, D- can you check on Holly in a while? And see if the two of you can get something worked out about the future. Somebody cancelled Holly's headliner for Spellcraft to slip in. Which means someone on the inside had to have ties to it all."

You look over at Dottie. Once again, she's in her spot smoking. You try to remember where she was standing- you know she was at your back when you escaped, so she was to your front when the bats entered. Plus she carried a shotgun- and unlike you KEPT it aimed.

The hand couldn't have been Dottie.

Still, you approach her. "How ya doing, Dot?" you ask. "Been better, slick. Ain't never seen six Man-Bats at the same time. Hopin' I never do again."


>what else do you ask dottie?
>what else do you ask anyone else?

>>42700583

"Yeah, same here."

Then remember that we were holding Holly hostage before the bats came.

>>42700583
"I'm in the same boat with you there. Still, it could've gone worse. Try not to let it eat at you too much. See you in the morning yeah?...Hey, you notice anybody grab my hand in that mess? Coulda sworn...eh, maybe Dwayne just freaked out."
>Laugh a bit
>Watch reaction a bit, shrug the whole deal off anyway

>Talk to Coal and Dwayne about it.
>Point out to Coal quietly that were it her that's the sort of thing that blows cover.

>>42700583

"Same here, Dot. But hell, Coulda been worse though, right?

Say... Did you see somebody trying to grab at my hand back there? I dunno, maybe Knock or somethin'?

Dottie gives you an odd look. "I was in fronta you, Boss. Same as Knock, remember? Plus I had eyes on the big bats, ya know?

Why,, you thinkin' somebody coulda been tryin' to pull you outta the pack? Since we were looking away, anybody behind you coulda pulled you down and took ya out."

She looks angry. "Damn it. Shoulda thought of that..."

"I don't think it's much of an issue, Dot," you try to say reassuringly.

"Yeah well, nothin's ever an issue 'till it kills somebody," she says.


You return to Coal, and pull her to the side, away from Spellcraft.

"Say, Coal..." you ask. "If we're going to keep our partnership secret, we've got do certain things in public. Like, you can scream when you see me.

And there's some stuff we should probably avoid, you know? Like getting to friendly in conversation, or, oh, I dunno, physical contact?"

She gives you the same strange look Dottie did. "I'll... Try to keep that in mind."

"Exactly. Of course, if it happened before now, we could probably work quickly to make sure there is no record. We just have to flush out any incriminating evidence.

...Can you think of any times we might have been seen together, or in contact with one another? Like...Holding hands?"

"I touched your face once while we were having a secret meeting plotting the downfall of Gotham and widespread fraud of a government agency, while colluding with a known terrorist.

Is that incriminating enough?"

"Errr..." you sputter.

"Or the time immediately after that where you tried to make me strip for you."

"Okay, that's pretty bad..."

"And I had to take your shirt off while I treated your gunshot wound."

"Not really what I was thinking of..."

"Well, I'm afraid that other than that, our records are spotless. Sorry to disappoint you, tiger."

(Cont)

>>42701374
She gives you a little wave and a wink, and returns to her conversation with Spellcraft.

Which leaves only...

You haven't spoken to Holly since you brought her here, as Pricilla Cris. She had allowed herself to be taken hostage for the sake of onlookers, but aside from the free agents, everyone here knows her alter-ego.

You see her across the room, sitting on the old couch. She isn't acting much like the Holly you know. She isn't acting like Pricilla, either.

>wat do

are we waifu now

>>42701444
Sit on the couch.

"Hey guys. Holly, any ideas that about your inevitable escape?"

>>42701444
Talk to her, we can't ever fully trust her (or ANYONE) in this game we play but talk. Any weakness we show we should remember to can be used as a weak point later and always plan ahead to take advantage of others plans. This goes with anyone we talk to not just holly