>>5086723
>When I draw even one of my automatics, my confidence blossoms
The not-killing rule is dumb.

>>5086723
>A gun is a coward’s weapon.

>>5086723
>>When I draw even one of my automatics, my confidence blossoms.

>>5086723
>A gun is a coward’s weapon.

>>5086723
>A gun is a coward’s weapon.
Shit would be boring if we could just shoot every villain we come across
>>5086735 and besides, who says we can't kill anyone with our fists :)

>>5086723
>When I draw even one of my automatics, my confidence blossoms.
Rubber bullets, tranquilizers, tracking bullets. It's all fair.

>>5086723

>A gun is a coward’s weapon.
Is it really batman if he could use a gun? I want to silver age this shit.

>>5086723
>>A gun is a coward’s weapon.
If I start killing nothing can stop me from doing it again

>>5086723
>When I draw even one of my automatics, my confidence blossoms

Murderer, sure, but at least no half measures.

>>5086723
>When I draw even one of my automatics, my confidence blossoms.
We will become.... the Gat-Bat

>>5086723
(Funny enough I wrote a whole update and when I looked back we were tied again. Waiting for a tiebreaker, if none by tomorrow I tiebreak myself)

>>5086723
>Use guns

I prefer my canon Bat to not use guns... But the idea of a quest like this is to do something DIFFERENT.

>>5087008
Most GMs just say it when a vote is closed to avoid situations like that.

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They give you confidence. Just the feel of them.
You heard Uncle Phil say this once. On one of your ill-fated “bonding “ trips before the series of boarding schools. He held the rifle like a lover and when he brought down the dove your brain fell to pieces like shattered necklaces.

You felt that fear, and now you can harness it. Modified .45s. Custom-built from your personal 3d printer. The rounds won't be traceable and you’ve practiced with firearms for years back at Nanda Parbat. You holster the two of them in your belt and piece by piece assemble the rest of your uniform around you.

Alfred was shocked when he saw you like this for the first time. You could see the fear in his eyes. Part of you thinks he believed you’ve finally gone mad with grief. But beneath the fear, you see something deeper, something stronger. He knows this will save the city, and so will save you.

Batman...Begins.

-------

You’re at A.C.E Chemicals in less than 20 minutes. It took you a year to get the company back from Uncle Phil, but once you did, refitting the Gotham Underground took less than a month. Phil had installed several highspeed trams running off the grid. A way to squeeze profit from the veins of the city will now deliver its inoculation. A hot delivery of justice going 100 miles per hour underneath all the traffic.

You emerge in a basement elevator just across the Kane Sound. A quick ride up to a blimp later and you stand over your city for what feels like the first time.
You’ve practiced this jump a thousand times before, but never here. Never... home. You take a breath, step off the blimp...

And glide. The fibers in the cape ripple in the wind. You feel every breeze, every stench carrying you, bringing you to the ACE building. As if the city itself was bringing you to an embrace. You land on the roof and the hunt begins.

Working through the rafters, you spot three criminals running through the empty skywalks above the closed vats. Your training tells you they are armed before your tech does. GCPD is still 15 minutes out. It is time to stop them. But how?

> I am vengeance!
Attack them directly with shock and awe tactics
>I am the night!
Sneak through the rafters, picking them off one by one.

>>5087064
>I am the night!

>>5087064
>>I am the night!


If I got home earlier, I'd have suggested we use a pair of Katars called the Bat fangs hurhur

>>5087064
>I am the night!

>>5087101
>>5087064

Voting closed for I am the Night. Writing now.

File: I am the Night.jpg (546 KB, 900x1366)

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>>5087071
>>5087076
>>5087101
{Art by David Finch, Scott Williams, Mark Roslan and Peter Steigerwald}

You know how to disappear. We can teach you to become truly invisible.
Your mentor’s words ring through your ears as you stalk your prey. A silent predator of the night. They begin to split up, this isn’t a simple robbery. They are looking for something.

One drifts into a far corner and turns on a flashlight. The time is now.

A mobile EMP shuts off the light and your cowl’s nightvision eve’s the field. You land in front of the crook and soon hell itself knocks them out.

What the hell was that!

The second rushes toward the sound but you move quicker. A blow to the gut and a backhand to the head knocks them unconscious.

The last robber is panicking now. They grab the gun with a shaky hand but soon your much larger one is around their neck.

Why are you here?!

Your voice scares yourself a little . Whisky and cigarettes and razor blades pour from your throat.

Www---whatt?!

Fear is powerful but it clouds the mind. It’s time you brought them some clarity.

A second later, they are hoisted above the acid vats below.

Oh fucking god! We whacked Lambert. They wanted us to get him and take his harddrive.

WHO!!!
You lower them down further. You feel something you haven’t for a while. Enjoyment.

Ddddon’t know. Paid in Lexcoin. Anonymouslyyyy..

The hood faints. Just as well, you got all you needed from them.

A quick look in the office tells you they were right about the hit. Lambert lays dead in a pool of his own blood. The harddrive will be your lead now. Your well trained eyes show a hidden compartment in the office desk. Careful to avoid leaving evidence or corrupting the crime scene you take the drive and copy it into the external storage you keep in your suit.

You leave the office with the compartment open. Even Gotham PD can’t miss it now.

Stepping outside, you see the sirens pulling into the building. The criminals will be captured and spread your legend. Soon, the evil of this city will fear the night.

You have a blimp drone float overhead and with a press of your magline, you are carried up and away, ready to continue your crusade.

____

Back at the lab, you parse through the harddrive. It’s a draft of a contract between Alfred Stryker, Paul Rogers, and Steven Crane. The date shows it's unsigned but if it was, Stryker’s stake in the company would be lowered dramatically. That's the prime motive, but not enough evidence to put him away. It’s time for the Batman to strike.

>Caped Crusader
Capture Stryker in his home and interrogate him

>World’s Greatest Detective
Spy on Stryker and investigate him.

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective
>Spy on Stryker and investigate him.

>>5087163
>>Caped Crusader

>>5087163
>Caped Crusader

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

We'll get more info this way with less attention to us

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>Caped Crusader

>>5087163
>World's Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>Caped Crusader
Capture Stryker in his home and interrogate him

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>World’s Greatest Detective

>>5087163
>World's Greatest Detectove

>>5087163
>>5087163
Locked in for World's Greatest Detective . Update being written

File: Batcomputer_001.jpg (601 KB, 2615x1960)

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>>5087163
{Art by Norm Breyfogle, Steve Mitchell and
Adrienne Roy}

I'm certain this is the first stitch in a large tapestry of crime.

You wonder if you’re talking to yourself too much. You’re still unsure where to draw the lines between you and this..Bat if those lines even exist.

No matter where it came from, the thought is correct. Stryker showed up on all the networks giving a public show of remorse for Lambert's death, but his partners were conspicuously absent.

Uncle Phil’s computer contract with GCPD made it easy for you to access their files. Once the Terrible Trio were behind bars, GCPD was told the Public Key for the Lexcoin transaction they were paid in. The Ledger had hundreds of millions in transactions, far beyond Stryker’s public wealth. It was to look into him.

The Blimpdrone Camera network showed no suspicious activity. A spa, a mansion, a mistress. Standard vices of the elite that prey on your city.

So if you can’t track the fish, track the bait. When the drone footage of Lambert’s partners was pulled, the same black corvette was found tailing them across the day. You run its plates. It's owned by one Alan Jennings. Stryker’s personal assistant.
It’s time for The Batman to strike again.


_____

Despite being automated, each Waynetech Blimpdrone has a small maintenance deckGiven their purposefully stealthy design and seemingly random patterns it is nothing to tail Jennings in one.

His routine is night and day from his bosses. He swaps cars at his house before going to work, smart. But after leaving Stryker’s mansion his time is split between spying on the partners and drinking till he passes out. A little disguised pickpocket action at Jimmy’s Pub and you have a keycard to digitally copy.

From there it’s a basic penetration op. Stryker’s Mansion security is nil, so all you had to do was wait for one of his nights on the town before you broke in through his window. Knowing his love of compartments you find a private computer stored in his desk.

It takes a few hours to brute force the password, but when you do his ins are laid bare. Offshore accounts, human testing, designer drug labs. No wonder he wanted to rub out his partners, it's only a matter of time before he was found out. But all this data and still no source of the Private Key of his mysterious founder. The biggest lead is a Lexcord chat with username Dr. Death#71939. Talks about a lab over in D'Angelo Sewage. Looks like you’re making a visit to Arkham.

But first, what to do with the evidence?

>Support your police. That’s our message.
Turn it over to the cops.
>There is something ROTTEN in Gotham City. It wears a BADGE.
Don’t turn the evidence over to the police

>>5088023
>There is something ROTTEN in Gotham City. It wears a BADGE.

>>5088023
>There is something ROTTEN in Gotham City. It wears a BADGE.

>>5088023
>>There is something ROTTEN in Gotham City. It wears a BADGE.
Until we meet Gordon and realize there are still cops that exist outside of people's pockets, keeping things close to our chest is better.

>>5088023
>There is something ROTTEN in Gotham City. It wears a BADGE.

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>>5087064
>>5086735
>The not-killing rule is dumb.
>They give you confidence. Just the feel of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm3Chp2u7HY

>>5088023
Locked in for not contacting the cops. Writing now.

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>>5088023
{Art from DC Universe Online.}

Lesson Number One: Never talk to cops. Not in Gotham.

You ponder on this wisdom. At the time you were too young to grasp the meaning of your father’s words, but soon you realized the great healer felt no problem was best solved by a stranger with a gun. You laugh at the irony as you copy the files for further use. A few buttons pushed on your gauntlet and a blimp is overhead, ready to take you to your next quarry.

___

The ride to Arkham is like a funeral march. Your mother told you this was once a place of healing. Where people the world threw out because it couldn't be bothered to deal with them could have a second chance. That’s all gone now. Arkham was rotting even before they built a sewage plant on it. Starved to a walking corpse by budget cuts meant to pad the wallets of people far more dangerous than those inside its walls.

Heat signatures confirm something far beyond cleaning shit and poisoning the mentally ill is going on here. A glide to the roof and a jimmied window later and you’re standing over something out of a gothic fantasy.

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>>5088264
{Art by Bob Kane}
Lab workers move around vats loaded with chemicals clearly not meant for sanitation. Two armed guards stand watch over a person tied down with IVs. Overlooking it all is a man with a goatee and a high-tech lens in his eye.

[yellow] Hurry up you idiots! Those vials cost more than your lives![/yellow]

The workers rush over with a few ccs of liquid. It’s red like blood but seems to glow with an otherworldly aura.

[yellow]Those wealthy fools are pompous. But as long as they pay their tribute, true genius can commence![/yellow]

The Doctor inserts the vails into the IVs but before he can pull the lever...

POW!

Your bullets fly true. The lights are popped and a hail of glass and halogen rain on the lab before. The workers scatter like flies.

[yellow]You fools! You bunglers! How dare you let a quirk of infrastructure interrupt my grand triumph![/yellow]

The only quirk one of the guards knew about was the shadow vampire choking him out from the darkness. Darkness is your ally, this cowardly and superstitious lot will fall before your hammers of justice.

[yellow]What was that?! Mikhail, kill them![/yellow]

You dodge to the ground under a hail of bullets. An AK-74M. With a name like that they’re probably Russian, maybe Ukrainian.

You return fire- and miss. Your aim is thrown off by the chemical fire at your back. Mikhail didn't hit you, but several vats exploded behind you in a hale of multicolored smoke.

[yellow] You Cossack ignoramus, get us out of here![/yellow]

Mikhail rushes to aid their boss while you rise from the flames. In the lights and darks of the blaze, your visage shadows over the Slavic guard.

Vampír!

Scattered shots fire from their rifle. But between the chemicals and the shadows, they fly past you as if you were made of ink...


[yellow]Enough! Enough! We must go![/yellow]

The Cossack picks up the doctor on their shoulders and makes a dash for the exit. You know you can reach them, but you hear a wheezing.

The tied-down person begins coughing from the chemical smoke.

What do you do?

>The Dark Knight
Pursue Dr. Death and Mikhail

>The Guardian of Gotham
Save the person being experimented on.

>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham
Justice is useless if the people aren't safe

>>5088270
>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham

>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham

>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham

>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham

>>5088270
>>The Guardian of Gotham
>Save the person being experimented on.


How bad is the corruption in Gotham police again? I know there's at least Gordon, the guy who wears a trenchcoat and that girl partner of his that are good, but that's from the Bane storyline, and I don't read that many comics, so I don't even know if they exist yet.

>>5088514
In DC canon the typical cop accepts bribes not just because they're scumbags but because being an officer in Gotham pays very little while it is extremely dangerous so the corruption is pretty bad and Gordon even works with several cops he knows are on the take because they're still otherwise decent and he can't do anything on his own

>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham

>>5088540
Oh yeah, isn't there also a court of inbred owl mutants running around to keep the place ASS cause they want a personal playpen of corruption or did the hall monitor kill those guys in the reset?

>>5088578
No idea, the corruption thing is about as in depth as my knowledge gets. All I know about the court of owls is their name and that they (used to) consist of Gotham's elite

>>5088270
>The Guardian of Gotham

>>5088270
>>The Dark Knight
Let's get some moral grey area going.

>>5088270
Locked in for Guardian of Gotham. Writing.

File: Guardian of Gotham.jpg (99 KB, 640x972)

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>>5088270
{Art by JeeHyung Lee}

Save one. Save one person. Then, you’ll know.

You feel the words of your parents flow through you. They were more than just industrialists or philanthropists. They were doctors. Healers. Saviors. The moment you see the pain in the victim’s eyes you know vengeance can never come before justice.

You can cut the straps of the gurney in 20 seconds, but that’s 20 seconds you don’t have. The flames grow ever closer. Just as the IVs are pulled out, an explosion rocks the plant. You sprint with them in your arms until your lungs burn worse than the heat does. Just as you reach the door a multicolored fireball breaks the world...

You wake up outside. Ears ringing, throat full of phlegm and ash, but beneath you, cradled under the protection of the cape, is the victim. Alive.

Facial recognition in the cowl ids her as Rebecca “Betty” Boyg. In and out of foster care, picked up for loitering several times. This Dr. Death is experimenting on people off the grid. The humans humanity forgot.

Are you alright?
A wet hacking is your answer.

Can’t complain. Youse da angel o death?

You stand over her, shielding her from the heat with your back and cape.

An Angel of life. Can you walk?

She stands wobbling.

Had da wind knocked out o me but yeahs. You saved me from dose creeps.

From your belt, you produce a warm hundred-dollar bill.

Get yourself a train ride and something to eat. Place’ll be crawling with cops soon.

Don't hafta tell me twice.

She begins to run off but while she is still in distance you yell.

If you need work, come to the Wayne building Monday. I know a guy

You question if you are breaking character too much but the smile on her face dispels such thoughts, for a moment.

The burning lab has erased any evidence which means you’’ have to resort to more... social engineering. If you want to know what kind of dirty secrets the rich of your city get up to, you’ll have to call.... *sigh* Lincoln.

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>>5089381
{Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia. Letters by Richard Starkings and Jimmy Betancourt}

Brucey, how the heck are ya!

The iceberg lounge is a thunderstorm of vice but somehow March is more annoying than the meth in the icecubes or illegal gambling in the basement. Lincoln hugs you with the force of a man who was somehow both starved for contact and overcoddled.

Better now that I can relax. I’m glad you're free on such short notice.

Are ya kiddin’. I thought after that whole thing with your uncle you’d go back to Ghulistan for another 15 years.

It was Pakistan actuall--

Waiter!

Lincoln flags down one of the scantily clad staff with a leer and orders a round of overpriced drinks.

So tell me Brucey. What are you REALLY here for?

You give an exaggerated look around. You know damn well no one is getting arrested here even if you WEREN’T rich, but you need to play up the naivete.
I heard there was a guy in town. Could hook you up with stuff no ones even heard before. Make yous see god.

Lincoln beams from ear to ear.

Hell yeah! Didnt know prepschool had it in him! Don’t worry. Ol’ Lincoln will emancipate you from that stick in your ass.

He dials his phone and his face frowns at the other end.

What? The fuck are you talking about. You been smoking your own shit? Look I don't fucking care, if you want some coins in your piggy bank for your little science fairs, you’ll be here in fifteen!

He hangs up the phone and his face shifts with the ease of a politician.

Sorry Bruce. You know how it is with the help.

Ten minutes and five drinks later. March’s tongue is as loose as you need it.

City Hall hear anything about that fire at Arkham?

Brucey, Brucey, Brucey! I come here to get AWAY from work. If you wanted to play mastermind you should have taken my offer.
Before you can ponder what he means your senses go off like an alarm. Seven feet of Slavic steel walk to your table. It’s Mikhail.

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>>5089395
{Art by Brian Bolland}
Package for you, sir.

What a surprise, the good doctor is too much of a punk to meet me himself.

Lincoln pushes a button to pay on his phone. In Lexcoin.

See you with the birds, Drago.

Mikhail leaves and you meet his eyes,but all the giant sees is another rich playboy.

How did you meet THAT guy.

March sobers up quick.
He leans and whispers....

I told you man. The Owls see all.

The Court of Owls, you through them a fairy tale, until Lincoln pressured you to join them once you secured Waynetech. Part of you thinks they could make for a good infiltration target, but you would doubtless get involved in their disgusting dealings.

On the other hand, now that you know Lincoln is connected, spying on his network as The Bat could yield just as much information, though it may be harder.

How do you investigate the Owls?

>The Return of Bruce Wayne
Join the Court and spy on them for the inside.
>Shadow of the Bat
Investigate Lincoln, Dr Death, and the Court from the outside as Batman.

>>5089400
>Join the Court and spy on them for the inside.
One cannot allow the mask to become the man, nor the man to become the mask.

>>5089400
>Shadow of the Bat

>>5089400
>>Shadow of the Bat

>>5089405
Support. There are things that Bruce can do better than the Bat. This is one of them.

>>5089400
>The Return of Bruce Wayne
Hostile takeover!

>>5089400
>Shadow of the Bat

>>5089405
+1

>>5089400
>The Return of Bruce Wayne

>>5089400
>The Return of Bruce Wayne

>>5089400
>The Return of Bruce Wayne

>>5089400
>The Return of Bruce Wayne

>>5089400
>>Shadow of the Bat

>>5089400
>>The Return of Bruce Wayne

Locking for Return of Bruce Wayn. Update being written

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{art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO}
My name is Bruce Wayne

This is what you tell yourself after every insipid meeting, after every chant of their own superiority. Reminding yourself who you are and what you’re here for.

Lincoln was all too eager to introduce you to The Owls. Getting the Wayne Billions into their fold was a holy grail for the court for generations. And so you seethed in silence week after week as they went over their many plans to choke the city’s lifeblood. Campaign contributions, tax dodging, waste in the rivers. Eons of banal horrors all to fit the luxury and greed of these men. It makes you sick.

Lucky you have an outlet. Bat sightings have cropped up over the city, but for now, your contacts in the Court tell you the police think it's just an urban legend. Nightmares of hopped-up drug fiends afraid to admit they ran into walls.


Betty is doing well at the Wayne Foundation. “Mr. Wayne '' offered to enroll her in their charity programs but “I hafta give back” were her words. Her management skills are proof of how much talent is wasted in these streets. She’s more skilled than half the drunken idiots you’re standing with who think they're the-

Helllooo! Earth to Bruce! You start drinking without us ?!
Lincoln waves his hand and laughs in front of the overgrown frat boys who run this city. You stand with the lutherbomb in your hand, some sleight of hand will have it joint the drunken houseplant where all of your “beverages' ' at these events go to.

Just thinking is all.

Jeez, and I thought you wanted to lighten up. Listen, after this man, it's gonna get serious so party while you can.

I’ll be sure of it.

You walk through the atrium of the Monarch Theater. It’s like the universe is mocking you. You’ve been in the court for a month so this is your first “Grand Roost.” The mask feels wrong as if someone else's face is on your body. In the center, several members kneel before a cloaked figure walks through a pitch-black curtain

All hail, THE JUDGE OF OWLS!

The crowd cheers as the Judge’s golden mask reflects in the spotlight.

The Time has come for us to take what has eluded us for eternity! Our divine flock will spread its wings over this city for a millennium! And this is the tool that will see us to it!

Out the curtain steps Dr. Death! They are wheeling out a conscious man on a stretcher.


Thanks to our soon to be eliminated asset in ACE Chemical, the Doctor has provided us with the means of immortality! The Young Mister Carver will demonstrate.

Dr. Death places one of the glowing vails into the IVs and soon Carver screams in pain... and ecstasy? Their skin grows pale, their muscles swell and their eyes close. Then open. A bright yellow.

Carver rips themselves from the straps with their bare hands and stands before the Owls.

Once again this city will know to fear the night!

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>>5090632
{Art by Greg Capullo and FCO Plascencia}
The Judge presents Carver with an Owl-themed uniform and as he puts it on, the crowd starts to chant.


Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time.
Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime.
They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed.
Speak not a whispered word of them...
The Judge of Owl screams as Carver wields a blade in triumph
Or they'll send the Talon for your head!

There is word we have a rival. A dark creature from the past set to claim vengeance for the City. For OUR City.

The Owls erupt in boos. This Judge is smart, they are playing to the crowds just like... no don’t think of them.

Our asset currently lies with GCPD. It has outlived its usefulness.
They turn to Carver
Go my Talon. Strike true. And if this ...Bat is real. They soon shalln’t be!

Dr. Death looks on in pride as The Talon gives a superhuman flip off the stage and leaps into the shadows. Their hunt begins. And so must yours.

So what do you think Brucey?

Damn. You need to get to your suit and get out of here.

I... I just need air is all. It was a lot.

Lincoln puts his hand on your shoulder and gives a look more serious than you’ve ever seen from him.

I told you. Once you’re in, you’re in.

He spots the concern in your eye and transforms back to normal.

Hey Brucey, I get it. All the weird costumes and freestyling is kinda weird. But it gets results . If the boss wants to dress a gymnast in pjs to get the job done instead of paying off a cop like everyone else, who am I to judge?

March laughs at his own joke as you stare.

No, I get it. I just don't think we should all be together like this for long. You know plausible deniability and all.

Always so paranoid, Brucey. I’ll let you go, but hey. Stay cool, okay?

He says it casually with just a hint of sinister beneath the surface.

No time to think of that now. At that Talon’s speed, they’ll be at GCPD before you do. You have to rush to the Underground, change, and catch a Blimp.

Once you leaked the evidence of corporate malfeasance, Stryker was arrested. There was no proof of the murder charge so they are currently in a minimum-security holding center awaiting trial. A new “innovation” Saint Industries managed to sell the city on.

You spot them jumping to the holding cell just as your Blimp passed over Old Gotham. You’ll only have one shot at this....


SMASH!!

You tackle the Talon from mid-air with your glider, crashing the both of you down to the holding cell. The two of you get up as two of Gotham’s finest point their weapons at you.

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>>5090639
{art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion and FCO}

What the hell!!!

They rain bullets, several wing you, and pierce through your cape. No more gliding tonight. You roll to the side as The Talon barrels TOWARDS the fire.

He grabs both cops and snaps their necks with a single motion. Both fall dead. The Talon walks calmly through the cell, as in a trance. Unless it's their target or blocking their target, it’s like he can’t see it.

You fire two shots at the Talon’s back, and he stands still. Dirty gold fluid bubbles from the wounds. The Talon turns their head, then JUMPs.

You look to the dark sky just as your night vision shows them slamming at you.

Cross block. Dodge.Counterblow. Break Hold. Your training saves you. One clean hit from this Monster Man and you’ll be done for good. That gives you an idea.

You twist into the shadows during their next blow and fall backward into a desk. Cracking one of your spoke bomb pellets spills its fluid. In these shadows, and with their altered state, it may seem like blood. You’re gambling that whatever Dr. Death did to them, it limited their mind to anything other than the mission. You play dead, and The Talon walks away to finish off Stryker.

The billionaire panics in his cell. As The Talon picks them up, BAM!! A blast to the tendon brings the assassin down. Even if he doesn’t feel pain, he still needs feet to walk.

Stryker stares at you in terror as you stand over him and The Talon. Stryker may have information but The Talon? They’re just a zealot. A killer for the whims of the rich. Doubtless to give up any information even if they wanted to. You could leave them here to the cops, or enact your own justice.

>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.
Leave the Talon for the Cops

>A fitting end for his kind.
Execute the Talon.

>>5090644
>>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

>>5090644
>A fitting end for his kind.
he's a mindless tool now
this talon's getting trimmed
hard

>>5090644
>>A fitting end for his kind.

>>5090644
>A fitting end for his kind.
No mercy batman

>>5090644
>A fitting end for his kind.

>>5090644
>A fitting end for his kind.
He was dead the moment Dr. Death turned him into this. No mercy for monsters.

>>5090644
>>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.
Batman is a force of vengeance, but also mercy.

>>5090644
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

>>5090644
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

>>5090644
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

>>5090644
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

I don't mind killing, but i think we should kill as minimally as possible. Having restraint is more interesting than having none. We should save killing for truly extreme cases where we have no choice.

>>5090644
>>A fitting end for his kind.

>>5090650
>>5090747
>>5090754
>>5090921
>>5090982
>>5091045
6 for spare

>>5090657
>>5090662
>>5090707
>>5090711
>>5090712
>>5091052
6 for kill

Okay people, let's talk about this. Why should we kill him and why should we spare him? Is it possible to undo what Dr. Death did to this man, or is he permanently like this? How likely is he to escape any sort of confinement? Could this Talon/Carter's family be traced back for information? Talon won't give up info himself, but can the Owl leader be impersonated to induce Talon to reveal information? Is this an extreme enough case where killing is warranted? Just because we have a gun doesn't mean we have to always use it to kill.

>>5091239
>why should we spare him?
We've already established that our Batman is not just an anti-criminal machine when we chose "Guardian of Gotham".
We should be merciful, and kill as a last resort.

>>5091269
Yeah, though in the case of a truly unrepentant villain (Joker) who has proven time and time again they won't stop (Joker) I'm saying we should go for the kill, last resort or not but only when in universe they have shown they won't stop (Joker)

>>5090644
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

>>5090644
changing vote from >>5090657 to
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.

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Here's my personal take:
The main problem with canon Batman is that he doesn't actually solve problems, he just passes the buck to the system (be it the courts or arkham, or whatever) and then does basic bitch charity work as Bruce Wayne. If you actually want to be proactive, you have Batman following through with ensuring criminals pay for their crimes in prison as well as having Bruce Wayne doing things like supporting the death penalty for scum like Joker.

But just executing people in the dark doesn't solve problems. It just makes you a hitman. Killing people fine, it's a tough world out there, but no extrajudicial executions.

Locking on for "I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you."

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{Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli and Todd Klein}
If I allow myself to go down into that place, I'll never come back.

Your gun was raised on the Talon’s head when your father’s words touched your mind.

It was the June before you lost them, Tommy had been giving you hell all week. Jocko-Boy, a two bit robber, got booked for murer. After his lost shoot out in the streets, your father treated him, saved his life. And all of Gotham Academy made sure you never forgot your Dad was the reason those people were dead.

Eventually it was too much, you snapped at him one evening “Why did you do it? Why didn’t you let him die?!” Your father answered.

“Son, when you’re in the field, on that table with people’s lives in your hand, people think you worry about what’s too hard. But you don’t. It’s what's too easy. Every time someone’s under that knife you get tempted to play God, but some choices aren’t mine to make.”

“What are you talking about?!” You yelled. At twelve you were old enough to hear this conversation but not old enough to UNDERSTAND it.

“We have power in this city. And one day you’ll use that power. And when you do, it has to be about helping who needs helping more than hurting who needs hurting.”

You had mixed feelings about the lesson then and you do now. Carter worked for the Court, probably most likely killed for them before. There is no way to know if the formula is even reversible. But then you think, he is incpatcated, no one is at threat right now. You carry guns knowing you would have to use them, but this , this wouldn’t be defence, it would be slaughter. With every ounce of will you have you holster your gun and look down at Talon.
I don’t know if you can hear me Carter, but if you can, I want you to know , this is not a mercy.
You turn your back to Stryker but speak loud enough so he can hear.
You can never escape me. Bullets don't harm me. Nothing harms me. But I know pain. I KNOW pain. Sometimes I share it.
You turn and look Stryker dead in the eye.
With someone like you.

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{Art by Tim Sale and Gregory Wright}
Stryker’s interrogation went well. He was too “New Money” to get in the Court of Owls but his chemical plants were useful for their needs. They supplied off the books cash and access to Gotham High Society, he gave them what they needed to make everything from designer drugs to chemical bombs.

No details on Dr Death though. The only time you saw him , your cowl, couldn't get a clear face ID until the fire started. Their real name isn't beeing shared with the New Guy at the Court either. Hopefully the follow up meeting would be hel-


Carmine:You fucking idiots!

Carmine Falcone entered the room like a Mediterranean tempest. The last Kingpin of Gotham, the dying grasp of the Old World drug families grasping desperately against a new age of crime.

Carmine:I tell you to take care of loose ends and you dump two corpses and a halloween costume in my lap!

He entered with a small army of guards but not one Owl moved. Their wealth makes them feel immortal. You’ll have to prove them wrong.

Judge:Falcone. Please sit. Enjoy the Balsamic.

The Judge of Owls greeted Carmine calmly, no emotion showing through their mask.

Carmine: Cut the shit, Grand Poobah. Word is Stryker’s cutting a deal. And after your little musical theatre flopped, they're carting him upstate for protection. If you screw me on this I swear...

Sionis: You’ll do what?

Roman Sionis hobbles past the guards, stoned halfway to Mars and drunk the the way back.

Sionis: Without Stryker. You. Ain’t. Got. Shit. All the gringas get their candy from South of the border these days. Gay Tony over here needed that new...new.. Shit from Dr Dee to stay in business. Now he’s out a supplier.

Judge:Apologies, The Boy speaks out of turn.

Carmine:It’s fine. Lions don’t concern themselves with the opinions of the sheep.

Sionis steps nose to nose with Falcone and gives a bloodshot stare.

Sionis: Ooh, Thrones quotes. Honey, you’re off brand. Wudda taken you for a Sopranos guy.

Sionis playfully slaps Carmine’s cheek and gets a pistol whip for the insult. 12 guns are pulled on Sionis’ bleeding face.

>>5091801
{Portrayed by Ewan McGreggor, Costume Design by Erin Benach}

Carmine: Ya know, kid. The whole insecure trust fund brat bit might go over well with bitches on Chirpr, but here, we run on respect.

Carmine and the rest holster their guns.

Carmine: Do that again, you’re a stain. Give a damn bout your daddy's money. You birds deal with our stool pigeon or you’re ALL getting fried.

As the mobster storms off, Sionis sits kneeling and crying.

Sionis:Don’t you look at me! All of you idiots! Playing dress up while the world melts under your feet. You think this Eyes Wide Shut bullshit will save us from an alien with lasers for eyes?!

The Owls' faces are as still as their masks . No one even nods as Sionis slinks from the room.

Now is your chance

Sionis was out of line , but he’s right. Stryker is a loose end.

Lincoln tries to stop you

Brucey...

Yes, The Talon failed, but so did Saint Industries. Two cops died on their watch and their contract is getting pulled. This is our chance. Waynetech can take it. I can get access to GCPD deeper than bribing TWENTY cops.

Lilcoln looks nervous as the Judge Owl moves closer. A show of intimidation, peacocking in front of the flock. You don’t back down.

Judge: From the mouth of babes.... Impressive Brother Wayne. We were wise to welcome you into the fold.

Lincoln smiles faker than usual.

Yeah, good job Bruce.

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>>5091808{Art from Batman Arkhan Knight}
Over the next weeks you get the GCPD Contract and try to find out Dr Death’s true identity. You aren't high ranked enough in the court to know, but your “infiltration” of the Police force is proving useful.

Carter hasn’t talked. About anything. They just eat, sleep and crap like a meat robo. You don't know how much is the formula and how much is training. The influence of the Court has them secure at Arkham for now. But If the feds found out about whatever’s in their system, the city would get attention you don't need.

Forensics haven't been able to ID it but it contains proteins found in pollen of flowers native to the nearby Slaughter Swamp. Said Swamp is also home to the Gothcorp Biotech lab run by Dr. Pamela Isly.

On the other hand, Carmine might have plans to move against Stryker or The Court. All of the above are scum, but they’re better off being pumped for information than being pumped in lead.

>Weird Science
Investigate Dr. Isley’s Lab

>Gangland
Investigate the Carmine Mob

{Apolgies for how long that took to get out. I am still experimenting on how best to execute these long-form updates.}

>>5091814
>Weird Science

>>5091814
>Weird Science

>>5091814
>Investigate Dr. Isley’s Lab

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>>5091814
>Weird Science

(While everyone is voting I would like to solicit feedback. Positive negative or neutral is all welcomed. Short or long. The more I know about how you like and dislike the game the more fun I can make it for you all. Thanks for playing so far.)

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>>5091808
(Forgot pic)

>>5091856
I think overall it is good. Your writing style is really terse, which I don't think is necessarily bad. We've gone through events that other quests would have taken multiple threads to go through, which establishes things quite quickly. Maybe as time goes on you could take some time to flesh out an important individual event more, but maybe the terse style just fits Batman. He is a very "on to the next mission" kind of guy.

>>5091814
>Weird Science
The pro of taking on Poison Ivy is free makeouts. The cons of taking on Poison Ivy is everything else.

>>5091814
>Weird Science
Let's not leaf this on the backburner

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>>5091866
You're a funny guy.

>>5091867
He's a funny farm escapee

>>5091867
For you

>>5091814
>Gangland

>>5091814
>Weird Science

>>5091814
>Weird Science

>>5091814
>Weird Science
Investigate Dr. Isley’s Lab

>>5091856
I don't know how to criticize writing appropriately and i'm not going to try. What i will say is that I like how you're controlling the flow of the quest. We get enough insight into Bruce's and surroundings and it all feels very precisely delivered. Terse is what another guy said and i can see that, however, i personally like it. The pace of the quest feels fast because there's not a lot of unnecessary conversation or detail and i think it works here.

Maybe for certain combat sections or certain extended events if you want to give us more votes to determine how it goes down that might be nice, but so far things have worked out, and i don't think anyone cares about needing 3 votes on how to deal with some shmuck gunmen either. Just do what works for you honestly i like it.

Given the rapid and overwhelming votes for Weird Science, imma close the votes sooner than usual and start writing

>Weird Science

wins

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>>5091814
{Art by Clay Mann , Seth Mann and Ulises Arreola}

”When you wield the impossible, you can create wonders.
You know the value of science. The power. Staring at the world until you know what makes it tick, and then using that knowledge for a purpose. It's the seed of who you are, and the seed of Dr Isly.

Your files show she trained under Dr Jason Woodrue at Gotham University. Part of the so-called “Super-Science Revolution” that started up 20 years ago. Cybernetics, biology, botany, it was as if overnight Earth’s technology made leaps and bounds, like inspiration just fell out of the sky...

Her pedigree is good enough for three Nobels, so why is she working at R&D for a bit player like Gothcorp? You’re unsure how much she knows about the pollen in Death’s serum but you're also unsure how best to get that information.

You could try to interrogate her. Start neutrally and get aggressive if you need to. There is a chance she doesn’t know much and could even be an asset. Or you could break into the Lab and try to spy on the files, that would guarantee the information even it things could get messy.

>House of Secrets
Break into the lab

>The Gardener
Talk to Isley

>>5092073
>House of Secrets

>>5092073
>House of Secrets
As cool as Poison Ivy is, there's no point in letting Gothcorp know we're here if we don't have to.

>>5092073
>>The Gardener
i want Ivy to be on Batmans side this continuity instead of being salt incarnate and fucking things up on the regular.

>>5092073
>House of Secrets

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
>House of Secrets

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
How do we manage to tie every vote.

>The Gardener
If she won't cooperate, we can always do things the hard way afterwards.

>>5092073
>House of Secrets

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
>>House of Secrets

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
>>The Gardener

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
>The Gardener

>>5092073
Garden.

>>5092073
Locked for the gardener. writing now

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>>5092073
{Art by Patrick Janicke}

Nature always wins.
A quote from one of Dr. Isley’s papers goes through your mind as you board your experimental airboat. Slaughter Swamp is too off the grid for the secret subway or a blimp drone. It’s not like you could fly through these thick trees anyway.

Your choice to speak with the Doctor directly is a risky one, but it could bring out more information than more forceful means. Your assets in the Court of Owls have shown how even your enemies can be used as weapons in your war.

The Lab is an overgrown nightmare. Dr. Isley’s “free grow” techniques may sound brilliant written down but in action, they look like the Garden of Eden on mescaline. Lucky for you, countless branches and open windows may as well be an invitation.

Waiting until all other employees were gone, the workaholic doctor was found isolated in one of her groves tending to the plants.

You're All So Beautiful.

Dr. Isley, I presume

Isley steps back and almost knocks over her lab equipment. Good, she is scared. You slowly rappel down with your grapple line, making sure to stay in the shadows.

I need to know some things from you.


Picking herself from the table, she growls with a look of pure will.

Tell your owls, I’m not giving up my research. Take me in a bodybag if you need to, just make sure I mulch my plans when you’re done.

You’re taken aback, this is the first time you’ve heard of the Owls dealing with this lab. Just how deep do their operations go?

I’m not with the Owls, but if you tell me what they want... I can help.

I’m not getting involved in a gang war Mr. Halloweentown. So if you’re not here to kill me, please get out of my way so I can get back to work.

You smirk, this one will take a bit...extra.

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>>5093449
{Production Design by Barbara Ling, Set Design by James Bayliss, Richard Bergerm, Kai Bloomberg, Dawn Brown, John P. Bruce, R. Gilbert Clayton, Mick Cukurs, Keith Cunnigham, Peter J. Kelly, Nancy Mickleberry, Eric D Sundahl, Mindi Toback, Stan Tropp, Stella Furner, and Marco Rubeo, Direction by Joel Shcumacher }
Using the line as a swing, you fling yourself across the room and land near her. Her field of vision is blanketed in your imposing visage.

I’m Batman.

While she is stunned, you pass her a flashdrive.

The attack on the Saint facility? It was the Court. And their enhanced hitman was found with traces of your pollen in their bloodstream

While you were talking the Doctor was already reading through the drive’s contents. It’s an uncanny speed even for you.

Consumerist dogs! Weaponizing MY work?!

Your work?

I Isolated the Black Flower protein ages ago. The Miagani would use it in their rituals to contact the Sphere of the Gods.

You don’t look like the religious type.

Ha! Do you know how much of modern medicine is just peer-reviewing traditional practices? The ancients weren’t dumb, they just didn't have our tools. With modern science, I can turn a vision quest plant into a miracle drug.

On Isley’s screen, a picture of the two cops the Talon killed appears.

It’s a miracle, alright. The one they juiced up had the strength of ten men and didn’t feel pain.

Hellfern you fucking idiot!

The Doctor slams her keyboard in anger, before taking short breaths and returning to watering her garden.

Who is Hellfern?

Beady-eyed asshole. Used to buy our runoff waste until I did a background check. Turns out he was busted for drug labs.

You move to the computer.

Hey that’s private...
You cast the picture of Dr. Death you took onto the computer.

Is this Hellfern?
That’s the nutter alright.

Can an antidote be made?

I’d have no idea until I got a sample of the stuff.
Ivy kneels down to pick up the dropped containers from earlier.

You’ll have your sample.
She turns to respond but sees only darkness.

___
The trip back to the Manor was filled with thoughts. Dr. Karl Hellfern’s record did show him getting busted for drug production, but he was released after a witness in his trial mysteriously vanished. He has paper trails across half of Europe and Asia but his profile is low enough you would need to be... you to find it all out.

You track him down to a formerly abandoned gothic castle in Kane County. You could move to capture him now, but given this new plant trade, investigating Gothcorp may provide you with more valuable information.

>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!
Go to Dr. Death’s castle now

>Harvest of Death!

Investigate Gothcorp

>>5093458
Okay so hear me out. We have enough to get Dr Death right now. Investigating Gothcorp will likely solidify that more, and maybe get some more names, the money people. However I have a feeling, call it instinct, that Dr Death is prepping something big. He had a successful test run, what comes after that? Mass production. I fear if we delay any longer that his creations will be too much for us to handle.

Also even if we went after the money people they'll just buy their way out of it while leaving Hellfern to out to dry. We'll need to find someone in the DA who can't be bought before we can start to go after them.

>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!

>>5093458
>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!

>>5093467
+1
nip this in the bud, as Ivy would say

>>5093458
>>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!
yeah lets deal with this before the talons get even more bullshit and become a genuine pain in the butt to deal with.

>>5093458
>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!

>>5093458
>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!

>>5093458
>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!

>>5093467
+1

>>5093458
>>The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!
>>5093467
Has a convincing argument.

>>5093458
Locking votes. Writing "The Fatal Prescription of Doctor Death!"

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>>5093458
{Art by Alex Ross}
From here, it looks like an achievement.
You hate flying. The air in Kane County is stale and bitter. Your mother’s people built the region into the chemical capital of the nation, at the cost of destroying its land and waters. She once told you leaving Kane Chemical behind was the second greatest thing she ever did. “What was the first?” You recall asking. “You” is what she said.

You land the chopper on the roof of the estate. The building is old, but not as old as it looked. The wealthy of Gotham had always aspired to legendary status, commissioning a castle in the 1800s was just the type of madness the area joked about. Thermal scans show activity consistent with the lab from earlier, but this time, you’ll be ready.

Breaking in through the highest window, you rappel down the rafters, not that there were many. The entire castle has been hollowed out to make a superlab. Tanks, kegs, and fumes mix together in an industrial nightmare. It’s not as large as the lab at the sewage center, but it does its job well.

Night Vision shows a cage of several prisoners, on the other side of the room Mikhail stands watch over Hellfern. Mikhail seems jittery, always looking around. Good, you’ll use that.

*Creak*
Хтo тyди йдe?!

Mikhail swings his weapon wildly through the air, to the annoyance of the Doctor.

You Ukrainian imbecile, stop chasing ghosts and do your job!

Their argument is your opportunity. Your grapple gun pulls you to the prison, where swift knife work opens the lock.

Get out of here, now!

The prisoners start to sneak out the building, with one in particular lagging behind.

Kid, hurry, before you...

Your throat caves in and your head goes purple. Mikhail! He stuck up behind you. Sloppy. Stupid. A backhand to his face breaks the hold. The blades on the gauntlets were a good idea.

You turn to finish the brute off, but he charges into you! He wasn’t this fast before! Could he--

Well, well my pet. It seems we’ve caught your little “vampir” after all.

The Doctor’s voice rings in your ears. You split up blood from Mikhail’s tackle.

I can’t wait to cut you open and see how you tick.

One chance now...

*SPLSHHHS*

The gas pellet fills the air, if your fight with the Talon was any lesson, it’s that being painless doesn’t mean you don't breathe.

haack--hacckk Kill it. Kill it!

RAAAAH!
The Monster Man flails randomly through the smoke. He can’t see you, but you are too winded to move away, it's only a matter of time before he hits you just by chance. No, it can't end here. It can’t--

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>>5093994
{Art by CPTNBOK}

Hey ugly!

The kid! What are they doing?!

Are these important?!

He pushes over a table of chemicals then flips away. The kid’s got moves.

Stop him, STOP HIM!!!

The Cossack charges towards the youth'ss voice, just as the smoke dissipates. Only one shot at this. Your grapnel was made to pierce concrete, let’s see what it does to bone.

*SPPLRRSHHSKKKS*

Direct hit, Mikhail’s gun arm hangs limply now---

HNNNNN
Damn, he grabbed the cord, pulling you in, can’t reach your .45s.

Take this!

Vails of who knows what are tosses in the brute’s face. His eyes cloud over and steam. He doesn't feel it, but if he can’t see, you might have time for...

A spinning back kick. Theatrical and clumsy, only useful against an opponent standing still, or one blinded. Mikhail lays on the ground in a broken heap.

*BAM* *BAM*
But it can’t hurt to kneecap him.
*pant* Looks like we make a pretty good team, huh?

Get out. Now.

But!

You monster. You fool! You hooligans! You think you’ll stop my genius!

It’s over, Hellfern.

His face goes pale as soon as you say his real name. His hand reaches for-

Run!
BOOM!

You damn near break your legs AND lungs dashing out the door, the brick and metal singes your back as a chemical fire consumes the castle. If it weren’t for your prepared cape, you and the kid both would be burning up just like Mikhail and the Doctor.

Are you okay?

What the hell is wrong with you! You could have been killed!

Last I checked, I saved your ass! The youth calms down.

And you saved mine. Thank you.

Where did they take you from?

Haley’s Circus. The Ow’s were using it as a farm. The best acrobats, strongmen, knife throwers... they sold them off to turn them into... into...

He breaks down, you’ve seen this before. You’ve FELT this before. You kneel and look him in his eyes.

You’re safe now.

No. My parents. It's how they got me here. They still have them at the circus, we have to save them!

I’ll save them.
It’s my family. My home. You need me. I deserve this!

How old are you kid, fifteen?!
Not good. The exhaustion from the fight, the long conversation. You shouldn’t be breaking character like this, shouldn't be so...human.

I’m 18! And I’ll have you know, the Flying Graysons were the youngest ICA Awardees in history!

He’s not helping his case. But he did put up a decent fight back there. No, what are you thinking? You can’t bring someone else in on this. It’s your mission. But you’re not at 100% and the kid knows the area. What do you do?

>Batman works alone. That’s my motto.
Don’t take the kid with you to the circus

>Dynamic Duo
Take the kid with you to the circus.

>>5094001
>Batman works alone. That’s my motto.

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo
We could use as many allies as we can get, and if Dick is really a legal adult we don't have to feel bad for putting him in harm's way.

>>5094001
>Batman works alone. That’s my motto.

>>5094001
>>Dynamic Duo
We're only human; training and technological resources can only make up so much of the difference between baseline humans and superhumans.

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

we need to start somewhere to work our way through 4 robins

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

>>5094001
>>Batman works alone. That’s my motto.

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo
Dick saving his parents should prevent him from becoming like us (Yes, yes I know we will fail)

>>5094001
>>Dynamic Duo

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

As doubtful as it is, I really hope Dick can save his parents

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

This will end horribly, but better of two choices to let him try.

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo

>>5094001
>Dynamic Duo
Come on, Batman and Robin! We don't need to be too grim dark, this will be cool!

(Feeling a bit under the weather so the next update is taking longer than usual.)

>>5095995
get well soon op, great quest so far

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>>5094001

I'd seen that look on your face before. It was the same one I taught myself.
Your mentor told you this when you met and now you see it yourself. For the first time, you don’t see a victim or someone powerless. You see... you.

You can come with me. But you’re staying out of danger.
The kid yells as you signal for another copter.
Holy flight plan!

He looks in awe as your vehicle glides down like a creature of the night.

You’re name?

Dick. Dick Grayson.

Dick Grayson. Don’t touch anything and tell me the best way into the circus.

__

On the way to Amusement Mile, Dick detailed the hidden catwalks that would take you to where his parents were being held. The Copter resupplied your utility belt, but your injuries are still keeping you from acting in full force. You’ll have to be subtle.

Once at the ground of the tent, you aim your grapnel where Dick told you.

Hey, can I get one of those?

You were here for intel. Nothing more. I’m not risking your life.

If you don’t take me up there I’m running in myself. These are my parents, this is my home.
hh, kid’s stubborn like you. TOO much like you. You pass him a harness and link it to your own.
Really? When I’m in a show I don’t need a...
A stare silences him.

Together, you scale the tent until you enter the catwalk Dick talked about. A ring of scoundrels speaks below.

Mr. and Mrs. Sionis, standing next to three armed guards, all aiming their guns on several tied up performers. And in the center of the ring... Lincoln March!!!!


Damn it, Death is taking too long!

The lead guard turns to him.

Ease up, stiff. He’s prolly still working on his test tubes or whatever.


Zucco, you low-rate idiot! Do you have any idea...
March stops in his tracks when Zucco pulls a knife.

I work for Falcone, NOT you. You keep talkin’ to me like that and I’ll make sure you see death REAL soon.

You piece of trash thug! You dare-

Mrs. Sionis steps between them.

Gentlemen, let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture. We have the hostages and Death still has our talon hatchlings. As long as we hold all the cards we have no reason to ...

The lights cut out and darkness, your eternal ally, caresses the tent.

Fuck! He’s here. Aim up!

That’ll bring down the whole tent down on us you fucking emby!
Their screams are interrupted as you land next to Mr. Sionis and introduce your hand to his throat.

Put the weapons down!

Please, let go of my husband! If we disobey The Court they’ll kill us!

Your choice. Do it, or I’LL kill you.
The tent explodes with garish music and multicolored lights. You stand revealed!

>>5097898
{Production Design by Barbara Ling, Directed by Joel Schumacher, Set Design by James Bayliss, John Berger, Sean Haworth, Peter Kelly, Patricia Klawonn, Gene Nollmann, Brad Ricker, Kevin Ishioka and Clare Scarpulla)

File: Zucco.png (339 KB, 663x493)

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>>5097898
{Character design by Jon Suzuki, José López, Andy Chiang, Thomas Perkins, Dave Kupczyk and Jeff Matsuda}

Try it, chump!

Zucco and his crew pump hot lead directly at you. The injuries from Mikhail catch up with you. You’re a second too slow, and you and Mr. Sionis both are hit.

You shot my husband!

And we got the cowboy, too! Time to finish him!

The Carny language, knowing about the tent structure and where the lights were... Zucco has circus training! You’ve been in his territory all along.

Before the Tommy guns blast you away Dick swoops on the trapeze and kicks Zucco half a yard through the sand! Work through the pain, Bruce-

BANG! BANG!

Each of the other shooters fall down with one less gun and three fewer fingers.

Mom! Dad!

Dick runs over to untie his parents.
I told you to stay safe.

If I did that, NONE of us would be safe. Are you hurt?!

You check your leg, the grazing shot went right through. You’ll live, but you can feel your energy leaking out.

I’m fine! Where's Lincoln?!

The music and sounds make it hard to see, but you can find the thinnest footprint trail of Lincoln through the sand. You could chase after him, but this night is taking its toll on you, you can’t guarantee you’re in good enough shape to deal with any surprises.

>I’ll be back for you. All of you!
Stay back to rest and heal.
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.
Go after Lincoln despite your injuries

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.
"So, we'll hunt him, because he can take it."

>>5097905
>>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.
Surprised we don't have some quick clotting spray/foam or some kind of compression bandage as part of our kit to help control the bleeding/manage injuries in the field/do counter forensics.

Your fortune: You're on the Elf Watchlist.

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
>I’ll be back for you. All of you!

They caught us in a trap this time, we'll have to reverse it on them next time.

>>5098036
We actually do, But that's more of literal and figurative bandaid.

>>5097905
>I'll be back for you. All of you!

Regroup, prepare, turn the tables. Classic Batmanoeuvre.

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
>I’ll be back for you. All of you!

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
>Endure, Master Wayne. Take it.

>>5097905
Locked for Enduring it. Writing update

File: Batman in the maze of owls.jpg (279 KB, 658x1024)

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{Art by Chris Burnham}
Pain cannot be overcome, but it can be put in its place.

As the cauterizer works on your wounds, the mantra from your training filters through your thoughts. Your breath slows, your muscles stiffen, your mind focuses. Everything, including the hurt, fades away until nothing is in your head but the mission.

Get to safety, Lincoln is mine.

No way! We have to stop him.

You crouch in front of the youth.

Dick, defending the innocent will always be the first priority. Protect your parents. Get away from these people.

Dick looks on as you tie up Zucco and his goons. Falcone’s mob machine will have them back on the street, but the damage you did to them this night will keep them from being too harmful.

The Graysons walk up to you.

Wait! We never thanked you.

And you’ll never have to.

With a flourish of your cape you run into the darkness.
__

Lincoln’s trail was easy to spot once he got into the soft clay outside the tent. Even in your injured state you can easily outrun an out of shape billon-

BAM!

A fist hits your temple like a firecracker. Regroup! What was-

POW!

Uppercut to the torso, the breath leaves your lungs.

CRAAAAAKC
Right hook to your head. Your cowl takes the brunt of it but you hear a crack go through it.

You fucking idiot!

Through bloodshot eyes you see Lincoln. The foppish arisract is gone, what you see now is a shell of rage.

You thought you could take this from me! After all I worked for!

He kicks you in the side and you roll back. Need to fire

POW!!

The bullet goes straight through his shoulder as he bullrushes you and grabs you by the neck. Your body is lifted above the ground. March, he’s had the formula!

Let’s see who you really are.

He grabs your mask and 4 milliamps of current pools through his flesh. As you both drop you swing the blades of your gauntlet into his head.

My face! You fucking pissant!

He sits on your chest with inhuman force and stares at you with mad eyes.. This isn’t his normal entitled hissy fit. This is something darker. Something deeper.

Like an egg, pry you open... A fuckn egg

The crack in your cowl screams as it gives away, the sound covering up March’s rambling. You tase blood aas gasp in the cold air.
Bruce? Fuckn Bruce?!

He lets go . The last thing you hear before fainting is wild laughter.


___
You come too and notice your arms are tied. You feel the vibrations of the river benath your feet

All around you marble walls surrounding you in a hellish spiral. Next to you is Lincoln, dressed in bizarre armor.

Looks like the guest of honor finished their nap. Welcome, Bruce to the LABYRINTH!

File: Lilcoln March.jpg (149 KB, 800x1112)

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>>5100086
{Art by shirahamakamome}
Spotlights shine on you from above, through squinted vision you see countless owl masks orbiting in the rafters...

Members of the Court! I, Lincoln Mach, present you our enemy- BRUCE WAYNE! I have hunted him and brought him to this great maze for judgment. What is your sentence?!

You hear only chirps . But that can’t be it, your head must still be foggy.

Tsk Tsk. Bad news Brucey. THE COURT OF OWLS SENTENCES YOU TO DIE!

Applause like the flapping of a thousand wings comes from everywhere and nowhere at once.

People of The Court. You have put your faith in false idols. Men of mystery with their ideas of “infiltration.” But we are the masters of the city and with this tool, He pulls out a vial of the formula! We will take our rightful place in the light.

The whispers fall to silence as Lincoln holds up the vial like a trophy.

You were fools to waste this power on weak-minded servants! With this elixir of the gods, we shall reign eternally over this city, and then, the world! This great parliament will-

BLAM!!!

Lincoln’s knee shatters into shrapnel as he falls. He stares upward with the sad eyes of a boy looking for approval. He cries, not from the physical pain, but from the internal.

Bbb-bbbutt.

The floodlights turn off and are replaced with blood-red LEDs. The Judge of Owls hovers grimly in the light.

Lincoln March. You have betrayed the court. You have stolen from us! Hidden from us! The Court of Owls sentences you... TO DEATH!

As they speak a Talon leaps from the shadows into the maze. They are strong like Cobb, but bulkier, slower. You know you can break these bonds and escape but...

Wait, the vial. Lincoln dropped it when he was shot, you know you can reach it. But even with your broken body, will you go that far? You have no idea what it will do to your brain, but you know with it escape and defeat of this Talon is all but guaranteed.

>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight
Break free and don’t take the serum
>Batman: Venom
Break free and take the serum.

>>5100117
>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight

Stay clean

>>5100117
>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight

>>5100117
>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight

>>5100117
Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight

>>5100117
>>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight

>>5100117
>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight
Can we come back from them knowing our identity? Is it over bros?

>>5100117
>>Batman: Venom
sluuuuuurp

>>5100233
The mission is never over.

Plus, we're not "no kill" Batman

>>5100117
>>Batman: Venom
Dark Knight is more in-character, but I kind of want to see what lays down this path.

>>5100117
>Batman: Venom

>>5100117
>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight

>>5100117
>>Batman: Venom

>>5100117
>Batman: Hunt the Dark Knight
Will and skill is all we need. And a fat utility belt.

>>5100117
>>5100117
Batman: Hunt The Dark Knight coming this evening!

File: cowl maze.jpg (140 KB, 633x960)

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{Art by Art by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia}

They alter the mind and often the body, and in the end, mind and body are all any really has.

You think of your mother’s words as Lincoln begs in front of you.

You can’t do this to me! Please. Mother!

March is lost in inhuman anguish when you slip out your bonds. Your back is turned when you hear the fighting.

I hate you I hate you I hate you!

That’s good. Keep them on each other and you can make it free.

SMASH!!!

March was thrown right through a maze wall and he got back up! How long has he been taking that formula? Formula!

Your bones ache as you duck and roll but you grab the vial as you sprint through the labyrinth. Get out. Get a sample to Isley.

Bruceeeeeey!!! I’m coming for you.

You’re low on time. Whichever wins their fight, you’re in no position to take them. Focus, Bruce, follow the river flow.

Exhaustion is catching up with you, you can feel your muscles fading. Don’t look up. Never look up. There lay the owls. Those damned owls!!

Left, right, no, not there!

Kill you. I'll fffkkkkill you.
March hobbles around the wall, he’s losing blood but even on one leg, he is gaining on you. Need to find the exit. Exit. Too many walls! Wait. The river. The Water. Don’t go out, go in!

You take off your belt. It’s welded shut. Guess they couldn't get past the defense measures. But with enough force in the right place...

BOOM!

Perfect, broke right through. The Owls are pretentious, these walls are white marble, not the construction marble they should be using. Once you found a crack--


You can’t hide from me Bruce!!!!!!

Not big enough. Come on dig. DIG! You can hear his voice echoing from the room. Just. One. Punch!!!

YES!!

You burst into a cavern like a womb, just get to the surface. Get a signal...

---

You made your exit onto the Sprange River, A.C.E. Chemical just down the cape.* hh* You’ve come full circle.

You can rest here, just a moment, hear the chopter land---

File: Owl Hunt.jpg (241 KB, 588x960)

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{Art by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray and John Kalisz}
Your recovery had to be accelerated. The chopper had enough emergency supplies that staying awake isn't work anymore. Your cover is blown. Your mission is over. No! The Mission is NEVER over. You can fight this.

Even if they knew to suspect you, none of the Owls are smart enough to have found your backdoor this soon. Files, records, security footage. All available to you, including your feed right now:

--

Lincoln is being dragged through a pool of his own blood by two, no THREE Talons. He is brought kneeling before the Judge of Owls.

Boy. I must thank you for your recklessness. You have shown us the error of our ways. No more shall we lay in wait for our enemies to strike us down. The Owl must hunt, and tonight, IT BEGINS!!!

The Judge ends the speech and stabs lincoln through the eye.

--

Talons! More than one! How many?! You check the files, they’re going after every rival in the city. GCPD. The Mayor’s Office. Falcone. And... No! Haly’s Circus and Isley’s lab! Your chopper is the only way to make it on time but you can’t save both of them.


>Boy Wonder
Go to the circus and save the Graysons

>Circle of Life and Death
Go to the lab and save Isley

>>5101906
>>Circle of Life and Death
Oh god shit's fucked!

>>5101906
>Boy Wonder

Ugh, I wanted Ally Ivy, but what self-respecting Batman lets a boy and his family be killed by criminals?

>>5101906
>Circle of Life and Death

>>5101906
>>Boy Wonder

>>5101906
>Boy Wonder

>>5101906
>Boy Wonder

>>5101906
>>Circle of Life and Death

>>5101906
>Boy Wonder
Kids are our world's future, like how new sprouts are a garden's future. Ivy would understand, if she ever calls us out on this or finds out to do so

>>5101906
>>Circle of Life and Death
We've got to look at the bigger picture here and that's finding a way to counteract the serum ASAP. If we had a way to contact Dick and tell him to get out--send a drone or something to send a message/buy time--then we should certainly do that, but Dick's legally an adult and it'd be wisest to trust that he can take care of himself.

>>5102395
Of course it's also true we can try to send a message to the lab and alert Isley.

>>5101906
>Boy Wonder

>>5102395
seconding this, Dick is somewhat capable of defending himself or at least running away

>>5101906
changing vote from >>5102209 to backing >>5102395
Let's not forget Batman is prepared and can send a drone to the circus easily, whereas the swamp where Ivy is is farther away. This distance and difficult traversal impedes the Owls but shouldn't impede Batman much... though this is a riskier prospect if the Talons are unstoppable in their travel there even through the tough terrain.

>>5102395
supporting

>>5101906
Locking in for Circle of Life and Death, this was a close one

File: Dr Isley.jpg (64 KB, 760x448)

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>>5101906
{Actress:Uma Thurman. Costume:Ingrid Ferrin, Robert Turturice. Add. Credit: >>5097899 }

Choose between one life or another.

It was a hard day when your father explained triage to you. How do you value one human life over another? How do you choose who lives or dies with limited time?

DAMN IT! Not enough time NOT ENOUGH TIME! You can send a drone to the circus or the lab but there is no way it will be enough. You have to choose. You HAD to choose. Dr. Isley is your best chance at a cure for this poison. You can’t let her lab fall. Dick. The Graysons. You hope they can hold out, at least until you can get there.

The buzzing of the fanboat almost drowns out your inner turmoil. Almost. There aren't many routes through the Swamp, if you're not noticing any signs of another craft you might just make it. You see the light from her office. No time for the front door.

CRASH!!!!!

What the hell!

Dr. Isley. You’re in danger. We need to get your research and go.

I’m not an idiot. I have enough security here to

Get broken into. Twice.

Point taken, but we don’t have the time or the space to pack this entire lab.

You look into her eyes and see the same painful choice you made before you came here.

Prioritize anything related to the antidote. The Owls are mass-producing.

Impossible! We’re the only source of pollen. They shouldn’t have enough material for more than a handful of specimens at best.

A handful is all they need to- LOOK OUT!

Your instincts take over as you shield the doctor from a hail of glass. The greenhouse skylight above was the perfect entry point for a brainwashed super-assassin.

You reach for your guns but saving the Doctor puts you in an awkward position, the Talon is on you before you can react.

Hands on your throat, arms too sore to move in time, have to automate.

BZZZZZZZZ

The Talon cant feel the suit tazer but the muscle spasms loosen their grip enough for you to crawl away.

Isley, run!

She’s the target, remember from Stryker. Use their focus against them. Wait, is she going DEEPER into the lab?

The Talon sprints after her, you have a shot, but in the dark of the trees, you can’t risk hitting Isley. You have to go in.

Nightvision helps you track it. Just need to get close enough for point bl
AHHHHH!!
Stabbed in the side! The suit kept the puncture small but how is this Talon smart enough to pull that move? Have they been improving the formula?

SLINK!

You were ready that time, blocked the blow right before they fell back. They’re sticking to the shadows, trying to pick you off in one hit. But they don’t know, you’ve EARNED the night.

*beep* *beep* *beep*

Wild environment. Dark area. Lots of insects. Just a matter of time before...

SLINK! BAM! POW!

That one got through, injuries are catching up with you. Slowing you down, you can’t keep blocking the shots you need to.

File: Bats and Man.jpg (43 KB, 333x499)

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>>5104337
{Art by Mark Brooks}

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Just like a thousand nights ago, a bat flies through a window and saves your life. But this time it brought friends. Lots of them.

You wrap yourself in your cape. An unappetizing target for the sonar-driven swarm flooding in through the skylight. This Talon may strike from the dark, but this darkness bites back.

You crouch through the swarm until you come out on the other side of the lab. Isley is there, mixing chemicals of some kind.

That won’t hold them for long. We need to get out.

She tosses a gas mask at you.

You seem to have me confused with some warm-blooded damsel in distress. Put this on.

I have my own, what are...

The moment your lips touched your mask, Isley lit a match, and the room exploded with green smoke. Your eyes watered as the cries of the bats went from hunger to pain. One by one they drop from the air. Dead. And in the center of this pile of death, the corpse of the Talon.

The green smoke billows out the hole in the roof as Isley takes off her mask.

Lucky for us, freaks in costumes are good for ventilation.

She walks to the Talon, bat bones crunching under her feet.

A specimen this whole should be enough to perfect an antidote but until then, check the drawer to your right.

You see several vials of orange fluid.

It won't cure anything but it has a nasty reaction with any blood with that junk in it. Should even the playing field.

You load the vials into your belt.

You still need to come with me.

It’s a Night of Owls. What I NEED to do is work on this antidote while you take down the rest of these things. If you can’t pull it off, I’m dead anyway.

By the time Isley turns her head, you’re already gone.

File: Fall of the Graysons.jpg (99 KB, 926x960)

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>>5104347
{Art by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair}

Gone. They’re gone. All that work to save them, to protect them. All GONE in a moment.

The thing is stalking the circus. You tried, you really tried. But it was too strong. Too DAMN strong. Your broken arm is proof of that. If it weren't for Dad... Jesus Christ, Dad.

You see it pacing through the seats. Matter of time before it finds you. Can’t let it win. Can’t let them die for nothing. CAN’T.

AHHHHH!!!

Adrenaline’s only thing keeping you going. Don’t let up. Don’t quit. Don’t quit. DON’T QUIT. You got it in a hold now. Go for the eyes...Goggles cracking, blood on your fist, you’re doing it, you’re doing--NO!!!
Hand on your throat. Claws in your neck. You can feel things going dark...

CRASH!!!

It’s like an angel of death. The Bat. Talon turns it’s head. Gets shot. But not a bullet. Something...else.

Monster falls down the seats. Legs moving like a plucked bird. Keeps flailing till it stays still. But it’s not dead. Not yet.

You run closer. You can hear the shallow breath through the mask. The monster is alive. Your parents aren’t.
Dick.
The Bat stares at you. Its eyes are different than before. It looks ...human. The pause gives you time to grab the Talon’s knife. Same one that means you’ll never hear a Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas from them again. Never here Da’ds dumb jokes. Never hear mom call you her Robin. You hold it to the assassin's throat and with tears in your eyes...

>Vengeance
You stab the Talon dead.

>Justice
You leave them to the Bat.

>>5104359
>Justice

>>5104359
>Justice
But pocket the knife anyway. Mirrors >>5086723
>Shall you take up the same weapon that took our parents, or will forever be at a disadvantage in our war?
As with the Bat, so with the Robin

>>5104403
Dis.

>>5104403
ALSO MIRRORS >>5090644
>I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you.
>Leave the Talon for the Cops
This poster >>5091481 and this one >>5091269 put it well
Remember >>5091776
>"Every time someone’s under that knife you get tempted to play God, but some choices aren’t mine to make."

>>5104403
Supporting

>>5104403
+1

>>5104403
fuck yes +1 Call us Bat the Gun and Bird the knife

>>5104359
>Vengeance

>>5104403
Support

>>5104359
>Vengeance

>>5104403
Fuck that's good, support

>>5104403
>>5104407

Support

>>5104359
backing >>5104359

>>5104403
Supporting

>>5104359
>Justice (but keep the knife)