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{Art:Jiro Kuwata}

You see him go towards the tubes holding the Gorilla’s being altered, he presses the buttons far more quickly than he did earlier.

KARMAK:
Hewitt’s mind confirmed it. No media or international organization will keep these monsters from doing what they want. The power is too great, there is only one option.

Gas begins to hiss into the tubes.

BATMAN:
No! You wanted to save them!
KARMAK:
This IS saving them! There is no freedom for our kind under the human yoke. I am sparing them darker horrors still.

Run through the options, Bruce. You can probably break through.

KARMAK:
I know you will try to stop me. Thus, I present a dilemma.

Karmak picks up Hewitt’s unconscious body.

KARMAK:
I will very much enjoy ripping this putain limb from limb. So now Caped Crusader, choose! Who you will try to save, Man, or Beast?
RAHHHHH!

>Human Nature
Try to save Professor Hewitt.

>Spirit of the Beast
Try to save the altered Gorillas.

>>5232635
>Spirit of the Beast

>>5232635
>Spirit of the Beast

They're the victims in this

>>5232635
Decisions, decisions.
>They can be saved. Once they are out of this location, I can ensure they are relocated. Safely!

If we can maintain the intelligence of Karmak to keep his gorillas in line, we can certainly get them out of france.

Wither to the wild or using our wealth. But we are a guardian of the innocent, not a punisher of the guilty. So if he refuses this very obvious but difficult option Save the Gorrilas.
His entire line of thoguht is based on the idea that the gorrilas wont and cant be happy within humanity, but we can get them out of it, or establish a reserve for them. And he can read our minds to tell it isnt us bullshitting

Reporting from the old thread

>>5232635
>Spirit of the Beast
Protect the innocent

>>5233154
This is a good plan. Adding this to my vote at >>5233116

>>5232635

>>5233154

I also support this.

>>5233154
yes, add this to >>5233308

>>5233154
+1

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>5233154
Locking for this choice.

Making a Trust Check for 9

Batman Trust:7

The d6 roll must be higher than the check number to get a success. The specific number will determine the degree of success or failure.

>>5233668
Result:9

Close failure

Update coming tonight.

>>5233668
Fuck me, we always get exactly on the DC dont we?

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{Art: Jiro Kuwata}

BATMAN:
Karmak, you don’t have to do this! You know I have resources, we can relocate them, safely.

Karmak locks eyes with you for a moment, you have him., For a moment he sees what you see, and the life his kind could have. And then you s e that if he could cry, he would be right now.

KARMAK:
I am sorry, Detective. What has been done to us, what we are, for us, there is no life worth living. I can see that you are a good man. A man of justice. Honorable, but NAIVE!

Karmak slowly pulls Hewitt’s arm until it begins to pop.

HEWITT:
AHHHHH!
KARMAK:
Good, I was hoping you’d be awake for this.
BATMAN:
This isn’t you! It’s Hewitt in your head! Don’t be like him!
KARMAK:
Silly Bat, I already- no!

You break through the glass, but Karmak expected that bit. His powers work in real-time. Butt if you lean into your indecision and don’t choose whether to save Hewitt or the apes until the very last-

BANG! BANG!

Two bullets fire on the cables feeding the tubes, opening their doors.

KARMAK:
No!!!!!

SHRLUUUURK!!

Karmak tears Hewitt in half and charges at the tubes covered in entrails. Before he can reach them, a second ape walks out.

MALLAH:
Ce qui se passe? Karmak?!

KARMAK:
TRAITRE!

The two gorillas struggle in a way never before seen. Animal power, human brilliance. As their conflagration ripples through the lab, more tubes open and more gorillas escape.
You don’t want to leave Karmak to his fate, but you know this will be for nothing if you don’t protect the other enhances from being caught again.
In the chaos of the escape, you sink into the shadows. You snuck your way into this base, but you'll fight your way out.

>>5234201
Karnak too based to live. What a shame. I wonder how bad things have got in Gotham while Batman has been out for this long. The Man-Bat plot thread still hangs in the air, waiting for a bat to swoop on it... if only that bat wasn't jumping from helping a radioactive doctor to investigating some shadow organization in France in the meantime!

>>5234531
Manbat got jumped by tyger and Robin.

So that's. . . solved. Mostly just looking for his creator there.

>>5234608
Which is most probably related to these mad scientists experimenting on animals on Santa Prisca and here in Paris. We're still on the case!

File: 0equvc56i3w31.png (545 KB, 640x960)

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{Costume Design and Portrayal: u/joeyredhood22}

Rouge fires with the coldness and flexibility of rubber. Even with your suit, you’re barely dodging her rounds.

ROUGE:
You are slow, American. You cannot run forever.
ZOLA:
Arrête de tirer partout, espèce de raté!
RED X:
The pottymouth is right.

You flip onto a stack of crates.

RED X:
Unless you want to blow us sky-high.
ZOLA:
Non!
ROUGE:
Very well, you have my attention.

> An Unholy Pact
“Tell me where you got the weapons from, and I’ll leave you alone.”
> By Force of Arms
“Tell me where you got the weapons from, or I’ll blow us all to hell.”
> Hush Money
“I’ll pay you to tell me where you go the weapons from”
>There’s always a choice.
Write-in

>>5235017
>By force of Arms.

I can't see a better option.
Just let us keep Zola. Say she can get out of here for ad long ad it takes for us to be done witb the Frenchie.

>>5235017
> An Unholy Pact

>>5235017
> By Force of Arms

>>5235017
>Hush Money

>>5235032
+1

>>5235017
Locking for by Force of Arms, Update Tonight

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{Art: Jamal Campbell}

RED X:
Tell me where you got these weapons from...

You pull out an X grenade.

RED X:
Or I blow them and all of us to Kingdom Come.
ZOLA:
Stop, you idiot!
RED X:
Clock’s ticking.
ROUGE:
They will kill us if we talk. You have no leverage.
RED X:
Ask your buddy, they’re already coming for you. I assume since they aren't here you haven't told them about your stash.

Rouge turns to Zola who nods through gritted teeth.

ROUGE:
Very well. Little Laura was far too scared to do real digging, but a Madam always knows her clients. Look to your right, Crate #52
RED X:
Scanners- Xoom in.

It says a lot about you that you hoped they could tell in French that you spelled zoom with an X, but your thoughts about branding are cut short by what the box says.

RED X:
Ramstein Air Base?!
ROUGE:
A delicious irony, little American. All this time was spent fighting us when your enemy was right under your face.

Ramstein is the headquarters of the United States in Europe. Your eyes dart across the crates, while some are from European labs the vast majority are US Military
.
RED X:
I’d like to say this was fun, but I think Uncle Sam’s done enough lying for the both of us.

You pick up the smallest container you can find and backflip to the exit
ZOLA
That’s ours!
RED X
No honor among thieves. I suggest leaving before the jarheads find you and turn this place to an Afghan wedding.

You rocket boost onto the rooftops, spraying the parking lot with enough X grenades to attract police attention.

As Madam Rouge stares you down from the ground, you give her the two-finger salute.

ROUGE
That’s for English, you Spanish cow!!!!

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{Pencils and Inks: Mikel Janín and Travel Foreman. Colors: Jordie Bellaire and Alex Sinclair}

GIGANTA:
Killllll!!!!

You exit the ape lab into a hallway of pure carnage. Gammanauts and super-apes wage war. Bullets against raw power.

Wham! Bam! Sock!

Two Gammanauts fall down under your brutal pummeling. You’d normally be more stealthy, but given the chaos around you, you have more than enough cover.

BATMAN:
Bat-ears Activate!

The bug you placed in the vent picks up and translates from the other room.

ERNST:
The apes have escaped! I need to find Mallah! Avril? Avril, why are you smiling?
AVRIL:
The enhancements, give them to me now.
ERNST:
There’s no time for anesthesia, the lab will be overrun in-ELP!
AVRIL:
You are the brain. I am the muscle. Give me my superpowers so I can beat up monkeys.
ERNST:
This. This will hurt.

You fling yourself through the storm of fur and metal. The apes around you instinctively know you aren’t an enemy, but you stay out of their way just the same.
The lab doors burst open and you see Avril, strapped to a table and screaming at the top of her lungs. Nearby, Dr. Ernst operates a machine.

ERNST:
Who are you?!

RATATATATATATATA

Your firearms turn the computer into swiss cheese. Hopefully stopping the experiment.

AVRIL
Oh, no, no, no. Do NOT interrupt an artist at work.

Avril breaks free from the straps with her bare hands and looks at you with a disturbing grin. It’s not fear, or anger even. But excitement.

AVRIL:
En grade!

She jumps at you with the strength of ten men and lands in front of you. Before you can fire your weapons, they are smacked from your hand.

AVRIL:
Guns on a lady? What kind of gentlemen are you?

A second smack strikes your head. Even with your training and armor, you hear your brains scramble. Or maybe that’s the Batwave static.

BATWAVE:
Error88_skkhh Translation compro-mized.
AVRIL:
Magnifique, mon ami. I stab you now. Oui?
BATMAN:
Bat-taser!

The lighting-charged Batarang glides towards the gaps in Avril’s armor. Stunning her long enough for you to get up.

BATMAN:
Batwave, shut down the lights!
BATWAVE:
Error 5252 .exe Not found.

You burst back into the hallway and smile. You may have found a more... analog solution.

File: The Guided Missile.png (555 KB, 878x521)

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{Writer: Grant Morrison. Pencils and Inks: Mikel Janín. Colors: Jordie Bellaire. Letters: Tom Napolitano}

Oh, Messieur Fantôme. I have some knives to show your faceholes---oh merde.

GIGANTA:
ROARRRRR!!!

The giant red-haired ape and French super cyborg square off. Giganta is smart enough to go for Avril’s soft bits but Avril is agile enough to flank the gorilla.

AVRIL:
Have at thee, foul beast! Show me your skill! Brava!

Avril dances like a ballerina, sticking Giganta with knife after knife without being hit once. You pull out a Batarang.

AVRIL
Two-on-one? How unsporting.
BATMAN:
Game’s canceled on account of weather

You stab the Batarang into your chest plate. Batsmocke spews out as a spray can. Your computer may be down. But your suit is still armed.

AVRIL:
*hack*cough*spurt* Sacred blue, what is this. AIIIEEEH!!

Giganta is caught in the smoke as well, the ape’s aimless flailing finally knocksAvril straight through a wall. The threat ended to her eyes, Giganta runs off past you.
The hallway lays fallow now. Dead and unconscious apes and soldiers are the only company you and Avril have between you. And then she gets up.

AVRIL
*spit* I deedeent hear non whistle.

A tooth falls on the ground and she stares you down through swollen black eyes. Both fists raised.

>All For one, One For All!

Escape and meet back up with Dick and Ducard.

>Slay ‘em with Flowers.

Fight Avril. If you win, you will be able to get back to the Lab and get Ernst’s data. (Class- 7 Fight.)

(You will win the fight if my d6 roll plus Batman’s fight class is GREATER than Avril’s Fight Class.)

Batman Fight Class 4)

>>5239173
We got enough information. Sticking around won't help us. Recoup our losses, organize what we found out, report back to Dick and Ducard, then head back to Gotham. France can wait to a later date...

>>5239173
>All For one, One For All!
forgot my vote

>>5239173
>Slay em with flowers.

Maybe install a back door.

>>5239173
>All For one, One For All!

>>5239173
>All For one, One For All!

>>5239181
Locked for All For One, One for All

Update coming today.

(A note, this thread will be rather short, as the story threads detailed here were meant to be the last few updates of thread #2 before we got bumped off the page. This will be archived as Issue #2 part 2. After a final vote that will determine how Issue # 3 starts, Batquest will go on a season break that will be shorter than the breaks before Issues 1 and 2)

File: Batman Away.gif (1.41 MB, 498x398)

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{Image: Batman the Animated Series https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103359/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm }

Fur and blood fill your nostrils and when you stare across the hall into the eyes of the kill crazed Frenchwoman, you know you face certain death. You flourish your cape and fade away to fight another day.

AVRIL:
I shall zee you again coward Fantôme!
_
Your suit finds its way into a duffle bag as you blend in with the throngs of tourists and locals gawking at the mysterious fire pouring from the dome.

Your satellites have a time advantage over the French ones, you’ll be able to track down most of the escapees and hopefully get them to safety. Speaking of, Dick recently tripped the emergency call.

You were smart to have a non-digital backup.

RED X:
Mr. Malone, I found evidence on the source of the arms dealings. Too big to say over comms.
BRUCE
Confirmed Birdwatcher. Rendezvous at area 52.
--

DUCARD:
The US Government? Really?
CHANG:
The serial numbers all match, this is NATO equipment.
DUCARD:
And why exactly would the Yanks be funneling super tech to two-bit thieves?
BATMAN
Destabilization. Espionage 101. Metahumans and Superscience opened up a new global arms race. The US probably doesn't want any rivals to Big Blue.
CHANG:
Oh, but they have one.

Chang leers over the blurry cowl image you took of Avril. You don’t know which is more disturbing. His lust for the woman, or for the machine.

CHANG:
She is perfect. I had no idea such technology was even in testing, let alone so effective.
DUCARD:
From the looks of your suit, it was effective enough to knock you around. I thought I trained more sense into you.
RED X:
Don’t talk to him like that!
DUCARD:
Your intern gonna fight your battles for you?

You fight against every pain-ridden muscle in your body to stand to Ducard’s face.

BATMAN:
Partner.
DUCARD:
...
BATMAN:
...

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{Director:Joel Schumacher. Portrayals: Val Kilmer, Chris O’Donnel. Costume Design: Ingrid Ferrin, Bob Ringwood}

Ducard steps down.

DUCARD:
Fine. Even if this is coming from The States, it doesn't match the robberies. We’re tracking stolen European tech, not offloaded American.
RED X:
Weapons stolen from the labs were tracked to the same warehouse I found this sample. Interrogation confirmed the American source.
DUCARD:
Oh, so you’re the detective now?
BATMAN:
Let him finish.
RED X:
We have two pieces of the puzzle, we just need to connect them.

You open your bag and pull out a Batcomputer. Your suit may be damaged, but the Batwave program can still be run on a different system.

BATMAN:
Military weapons sales have been known to be laundered with NFTs. I could run an algorithm based on cross-referencing the dates of the thefts with those of the Black Bacchanals.
RED X:
Holy bank balance! Then you could filter out sales made in that range based on the bids I recorded when I bought the shadowvest.
DUCARD:
You’re yippie-ki-yay nonsense isn’t going to fly here now. Thanks to the mess you made at the Dome, the flicailles are crawling all over the city.
RED X:
I hate to admit it, but he’s right.
BATMAN:
Perhaps, or perhaps not. You alerted the police to the warehouse, right?
RED X:
Explosions tend to do that.
BATMAN:
Your suit leaves xeonothium trails. If we track them we can find where they stored the confiscated weapons. With all their focus on the Dome incident, an evidence locker shouldn’t be that secured.
RED X:
And with access to the whole stash, we could track the source down in a Gotham minute!
BATWAVE:
Algorithm complete. Probably location identified.
RED X:
An old Celtic castle. Figures.
DUCARD:
The two of you against the whole of the French Police or the United States Army?
BATMAN:
Since I’ve been doing this, I’ve been beaten, stabbed, and shot. I’ve fought giant bats, radioactive zombies, and armies of terrorists. I just got a compound fracture from a cyborg and a bruised rib from a talking ape, I live across the bay from an alien who could kill me with a look, and do you know what I have against all of that? My weapon to even those odds? I have one power. I never give up.

You reach a hand out to Dick.

BATMAN:
You’ve done well and proven yourself. As far as I’m concerned, your training is complete. Whichever choice you make, I trust you.

Dick takes off his Red X helmet, holds back tears, and gives the order.

> Uncle Sam Wants You
Raid the US Military in the Castle
> The Cavalier of Crime
Raid the French Police at the evidence locker.

>>5241231
>The Cavalier of Crime
Taking the stash, we can find em quickest.
Focus on the mission.

There will be a reckoning for uncle sam after this, because you just KNOW waller is behind this somehow.

>>5241231
>> The Cavalier of Crime

>>5241231
> The Cavalier of Crime

>>5241231
> The Cavalier of Crime

>>5241340
Finish up here, the back to the States? Makes sense to me.

>>5242192
Locking for The Cavalier of Crime. Update next afternoon.

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{Pencils: Tony S. Daniel Inks: Tony S. Daniel, Danny Miki. Colors: Tomeu Morey}

RED X:
The real problem is the weapons being circulated. We can't stop the army now, but we can get these weapons off the street.
And so in a dirty warehouse in a foreign land, what may become the world's greatest crime-fighting duo reunites!

Batman and Nightwing Fight Class: 5

BATMAN:
Henri, do you still have your leads in to Paris, PD?
DUCARD:
I can get you access codes, but only because I know you'd just break in without me. You're a fool to do this, it's certain failure.
RED X:
Maybe that’s what Batman is about. Not winning...but failing, and getting back up. Knowing he’ll fail, fail a thousand times, but still won’t give up.

Dick takes off his helmet and stares solemnly at it.

DICK:
Wearing this, I didn't do a lot of failing. I was powerful, felt like I could do anything. Hell I *could* do anything. But how I felt with it, what I did with it...

He hands it to Chang.

DICK:
It wasn't me.
BATMAN:
I think blue's more your color.
CHANG:
Goody! I have so many ideas.
BATMAN AND DICK:
No Xenothium.
CHANG:
Party poopers.
____
The Paris breeze feels good against your cape. Dick standing beside you feels better. All this turmoil and fighting separate made you realize how much better you functioned with him by your side.

NIGHTWING:
So what's the call?
BATMAN:
We have the evidence locker codes, it's a matter of how to get through the front door. Hacking the fire alarms and smoking out the stragglers could work, but we'd have no time to offload enough of the weapons.
NIGHTWING:
Hardware that advanced can't be kept in a local station too long, they'll have to transport it.
BATMAN:
Think your riding skills are up to it?
NIGHTWING:
You know they are, you should have seen me in the Narrows.
BATMAN:
I was a bit preoccupied, but I'll take your word for it.
NIGHTWING:
Bru-Batman. I want you to know. This is good for me, I think I want to do this, like really do this.
BATMAN:
It's your choice. But as long as you keep making that I want you to know I'll always be on your side.
NIGHTWING:
The only question left is, low-road or highroad?

>The Birth of Batplane II
Follow the caravan in the sky (Fight-Class 7)
>Secret of the Batmobile
Follow the caravan on the ground. (Fight-Class 8, Failure will have greater consequences.)

>>5243488
>The Birth of Batplane II

>>5243488
>The Birth of Batplane II

>>5243488
>>The Birth of Batplane II

>>5243488
>Birth of the Batplane.

Not really worth the spike in difficulty.

>>5243488
>The Birth of Batplane II
One of these days, we'll increase that fight class

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>>5243848
Note: We did just now as a result of Dick finishing his training and the two achieving experienced based respect while recognizing they work well as a team.

Locking for The Birth of Batplane II, update this evening.

{Art: Win Mortimer, Ira Schnapp}

Rolled 3 (1d6)

Rolling for Class Fight
Batman and Nightwing : Class 5
A roll of 3 or higher is a sucess.

>>5244892
Result: Level 8
HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY.

>>5244894
>Batman always wins, but it's always hard-fought and pyrrhic

Appropriate. Kino, even.

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>>5232631
{Art:Craig Drake}

BATMAN:
You’ve got your wings back, let’s fly
--
With the sun behind it, ten million dollars of steel and terror rises in the sky. You had Lucious refit an old drone carrier prototype after your battle with Kobra. But even one of Fox’s leftovers is more than enough to handle this job.
BATMAN:
Batplane II engines operational, tracking pattern online.
NIGHTWING:
Batplane II? But didn’t you already crash two planes?
BATMAN:
One of those was a Batwing.

Dick smirks.

NIGHTWING:
You’re like twelve.
BATWAVE:
Target locked.

The plane swoops low over the trucks, its camouflage melting into the shadows.

NIGHTWING:
Let’s ride!

Dick rolls out the Batplane on the Redwing and pulls up beside one of the police vans. The cycle stretches low like a cat and Dick attaches a birdarang under the wagon’s chassis.
You pull the Batplane around to face the convoy while Dick moves unseen from van to van.

BATMAN:
Now!

BZZZZZTTTT!!

Dozens of cop cars stop dead in the street while the weapons truck barrels straight for the Batplane.

BATMAN:
Fire Bat-hook!

THWOORP!!

The plane fires a magnetic cable onto the truck, Like some predatory bird, the plane drags the trucks along the road away from its protectors.
BATMAN:
Begin neutralization.

The Redwing weaves through the cop car pile-up and speeds right behind the truck.

NIGHTWING:
Nightbeams on!

A high-power azure laser begins carving into the truck until a disc of pure steel falls away.

NIGHTWING:
I’m in! Who are you?!
BATMAN:
What?! Report? Report!

Training falls beneath emotion as you set the plane to autopilot and grind down the cable with a magnetic gauntlet. You land on the truck’s roof and grip on.

BATMAN:
Detective Vision!

Through the roof, you see row after row of weapons. Enough to overthrow a small country. And in the middle of all of them, two figures are locked in heated combat.

BATMAN:
Bat-saw!

You start grinding through the roof. You can’t risk explosives or fire with all that ammunition.
Come on Dick, just hold on.

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{Art: Mikel Janin}
WHAM! BAM! POW!

You’ve taken a lot of licks this trip but whoever’s under that helmet is giving you a whole tongue.

NIGHTWING:
Don’t suppose you would consider surrendering?

They pull out two knives.

NIGHTWING:
Guess not.

You pull out your taser-cachaba It hums with electricity like an old lover.
NIGHTWING:
Mukkus jaw!

You rush in with strike after strike, they all miss. A wide swing almost hits a crate but you catch yourself, leaving yourself open to a knife strike that almost slits your neck.

NIGHTWING:
You’re good.

KLANG

Batman swoops through a hole in the roof.

NIGHTWING:
They’re better.
KATHY:
What are you doing here?!
BATMAN:
Kathy?!

SCREEEECHHH
The truck lurches and everyone struggles to stay up as the crates fall over.
BATMAN:
The cable!

The cord tears lose and rips off a chunk of the truck's roof. The plane spins out from the weight and crashes and the truck breaks down.

KATHY:
Ten billion dollars and you can’t keep a plane in the sky?!
NIGHTWING:
Excuse me, who is this?

Loudspeakers boom.

POLICE:
Vous êtes cernés!
KATHY:
And now the locals are on us. You really never could mind your business.

She walks to a specific crate, types in a code, and pulls out a red and orange firearm.
KATHY:
Stand back.

KRAKAOOOM!!

A blast of redder than red energy tears through the back of the truck and cuts a gorge in the road between you and the cops.

KATHY:
That should buy us time for a getaway.
NIGHTWING:
Wait. If you’re not with the French, that means you’re the one who was trafficking these weapons.
KATHY:
I’m the one guarding assets in a state operation. Or I was until two amateurs in techno leather interrupted me.
BATMAN:
We know NATO’s been arming French criminals. Why?

Kathy gives a smirk, like a kindergarten teacher when a child almost has the right answer.

KATHY:
There’s been a chain of robberies in Germany, I tracked them here so I can either claim or neutralize any government property before it gets in the wrong hands.
NIGHTWING:
You expect us to believe that crock?
KATHY:
Believe what you want, just do it away from here.
BATMAN:
Labs across Europe have been robbed as well, I can’t rule out your involvement.
NIGHTWING:
Especially when weapons from both were being sold in the same auctions.
KATHY:
European labs?! That’s impossible.
NIGHTWING:
Oh, here we go, again

Kathy rushes past you and pulls out a scanner she runs over the crates.

KATHY:
These arms, they’re mostly from the base but there are outlying pieces from all over the continent.
BATMAN:
Then perhaps there’s a final piece to this puzzle.
NIGHTWING
Or perhaps this is all some spycraft mind game.

> You Can Take the Spy Out of the Shadows...
Offer to team up with Kathy to investigate the mystery.
> The Web of the Spinner
Demand Kathy surrender herself to your custody.
>Scorpion Tango
Get the information you need from the crates and go on your separate ways.

>>5245991
>You Can Take the Spy out of the Shadows

Kathy as in Original Batwoman?

>>5245991
>You can take the Spy out of the shadows

It's unknown the history, or how much she can be trusted. I don't like that. But I'll assume she is one of wallers.

>>5245991
>You Can Take the Spy Out of the Shadows...

>>5245991
> You Can Take the Spy Out of the Shadows...

>>5245991
>You Can Take the Spy out of the Shadows

>>5246023
Locking for "You Can Take the Spy out of the Shadows..."

Update within 24 hours.

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{Art:Mikel Janín}

BATMAN:
It’s clear none of us have the full picture. It’s in our best interests to pool resources.
KATHY:
I’m not bringing private citizens in on this operation.
BATMAN:
When has one of Waller’s students ever worried about protocol?
KATHY:
Low blow, Bruce.
NIGHTWING:
Uh... I have no idea who you think you-
KATHY:
The kid’s a bit green, isn’t he?
BATMAN:
*sigh* Kathy and I trained together at Quantico. She was my source for the intel on Agent Turner.
KATHY:
And he’s been doing a bang-up job handling your city. Just jow long have[i/] you been gone, again?
BATMAN:
Psychological jabs keep me off balance and easier to exploit. I’m not an asset Kathy.

She presses a communicator on her ear.

KATHY:
Hello? Yes? But... Okay. Hmmph. Looks like you're in. First thing you’ll learn in the business, kid. Everyone’s an asset.
NIGHTWING:
The handlers at the Black Bacchanal were Henri Zola and Laura De Mille, alias Madame Rouge. Ring any bells?

She presses an ear to her face and it begins to...swirl.
You can see the rough shape but details are cloudy, like trying to read a newspaper in a dream.
KATHY:
Zola’s a low-level Paris crook, De Mille’s a an ex-model turned headmistress at a girl's school. Her record's aside from the usual runway excess.
BATMAN:
They’ve both gone to ground, interrogation will be hard.
NIGHTWING:
Maybe. Or maybe not. When I was in the Phantom Zone with Zola, he was in close contact with my suit. There may be enough Xenothium traces on him that we could track him down.
KATHY:
Do you have Xenothium?!
BATMAN:
That could work, now let’s plot our extraction course.

The sounds of a helicopter fade in from above. Agent Avril speaks through a microphone.

AVRIL:
Bonjour ,Missour Fantom. Would you like me to tear you into pieces here, or at ze prison?
KATHY:
Friend of yours?
NIGHTWING:
She’s bluffing, she can’t reach us from ther-

Avril jumps from the helicopter and makes a three-point landing in the concrete. Her metallic limbs crack its surface into pebbles.
AVRIL
Here, it eez, then?
KATHY
Regular Luthor the kid is.
BATMAN:
I assume you have the records for the army equipment.
KATHY:
Naturally.
BATMAN
Then one of us has to cover the escape while the others track down Zola.
NIGHTWING:
And you want me to go with Kathy.
BATMAN:
I trust you fully in either situation. The choice is yours.

> Spyral, Part One
Batman distracts Avril while Kathy and Nightwing escape together

> Those Were the Bad Old Days
Nightwing distracts Avril while Kathy and Batman escape together.

>Which Way Batman: The Doomsday Prophesy
Write-in

>>5247141
>Those were the bad old days
I get the sense that Dick doesn't want to deal with her, and this is time for some character backstory filling in.

>>5247141
> Spyral, Part One

>>5247141
>Those were the bad old days
Funny if somehow Batman loses but Dick wins against Avril

>>5247141
Spyral, Part One

>>5247767
He has a thing for french girls.

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While we are waiting for the tie to break. Anyone have any feedback or questions?

>>5248083
Feel free to disrgard my (>>5247653) vote if you're ready to post now.

>>5248088
No need, still some time to go.

>>5247141
> Spyral, Part One
here from /qtg/

Locking for Spyral, Part One.
Update coming today

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{Pencils and greytones: Mikel Janín. Inks:Mikel Janín, Hugo Petrus, Juan Castro. Colors: Jeromy Cox}

NIGHTWING:
Avril’s your booty, those thieves are mine. You got this.

You toss Bruce your cachaba.

NIGHTWING:
Aim for the gaps in the armor! Austin Powers and I will handle the goods.
Bruce flashes a smile and you and Kathy peel off from the overpass.
__
Kathy’s skills in parkouring through the urban landscape are impressive. Whoever trained her went above and beyond the usual spec-ops curriculum.

NIGHTWING:
Let’s see all the Xenothium hotspots in Paris.

Your holo-gauntlet shows a map of Paris with several red Xs spread across it. Most of the locations you can tell were yourself, but at the warehouse, two trails split off. One is you, the other must be Zola.

NIGHTWING:
He’s in Clichy-sous-Bois. Does anything there raise flags?

Kathy is still kneeling to catch her breath. She’s good, but not Grayson good.
She pulls out a tablet.

KATHY:
These are all the assets that were labeled for distribution.
NIGHTWING:
You mean arms you were dealing?
KATHY:
This whole sarcastic quip gimmick may work on Bruce, but you’re dealing with a professional now. I know you don't trust me, but if you want this mission done, you’ll shut up and listen.

You grit and bear it. She might be a shithead, but she’s right.

KATHY:
If we mark off what’s already been sold and what was found in the warehouse, everything left should be from those robberies.

A list of several dozen weapons shows.

NIGHTWING:
See what happens when you mark off everything traceable to one of the missing labs.
KATHY
But that will leave us with nothing-oh

One piece of equipment stands out. A gas mask made by Cornelius/Krieg, their only lab in mainland Europe is right in Clichy-sous-Bois.

NIGHTWING:
These guys never reported a robbery.
KATHY:
We do a basis infiltration to gather intelligence and pull out.
NIGHTWING
Ground rules: I’m in charge. I don’t care what you’ve done with Bruce, we’re not spies.
Kathy smirks.
KATHY:
Could have fooled me.
___
AVRIL:
You made a fool of me, Fantôme!
Avril swings a fist but you dodge it. She keeps going and smashes the back of the weapon truck.
AVRIL:
Stay and fight!
BATMAN:
BATSMOKE!
AVRIL:
You think zee dark will save you. But the God Garden has many gifts.

Her eyes glow red and she lunges at you through the smoke wrapping her hand around your throat.

AVRIL:
Et la tête, et la tête...
Face going purple with strain, you jab the cabacha into her armpit and press the button.
AVRIL:
Ahhhh!!!
BATMAN:
Bat-Taser!

Downside of being a human tank, your muscles run on batteries. Avril seizes up and falls to the ground.
By the time the smoke cleared and the french forces moved in, you were long gone.

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>>5253075
{Pencils and Inks:Javier Fernández . Colors: Chris Sotomayor}

The locks at C/K Labs were harder than you expected to get through. Neither of you would like to admit you couldn't have gotten in alone.
The two of you stalk the halls, looking for any leads.

KATHY:
If I can find a manager’s office I can access their ledgers and see how connected they are to all of this.
NIGHTWING:
Speaking of connections, you and Batman?
KATHY:
That’s what he calls himself? Always the theatric. The two of us were something a lifetime ago in a job that uses lifetimes like tissue paper. And that’s all you’re getting Boy Wonder.
NIGHTWING:
From you, maybe. Look.

You shine your flashlight on an office labeled Dr. Klaus Cornelius.

NIGHTWING:
Figure that computer has some secrets?
RAPTOR:
None for you.

The lights click on and a man in an orange hood reveals himself. He aims a golden gauntlet at both of you.

RAPTOR:
You don’t want to know what this does to people. Now, who are you?

>Secrets and Lies
Make up a fake story. (Write-in)
>White Gold and Truth
Explain why you’re here truthfully
>Blood Will Flow
Attack Raptor

>>5253082
>Secrets and Lies
"The American qnd French governments have decided this place is a liability. We're extracting these secrets before they end up in the wrong hands. Orders from up top."

>>5253082
>White Gold and Truth

>>5253139
This guy ain't a government goon. It isnt gonna run.

>>5253082
>Secrets and lies
"We are coming to reclaim the stolen property held within this location. Stand down"

>>5253139
backing >>5253172

Locking for

>>5253172


Update within 24 hours

>>5253172
Exactly -- I was trying to imply our fictitious superiors were on his side, safeguarding this from the government(s). I guess I should have been clearer.

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>>5253909
{Pencils: Phil Hester. Inks: Andre Parks. Colors:Guy Major}

Sorry for the delay. Technical difficulties on my computer. I will say I am developing a new system for the next thread so that these long gaps happen less frequently.

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{Dialoage: Tim Seeley. Pencils & Inks: Javier Fernández. Colors: Chris Sotomayor. Letters: Carlos M. Mangual}

NIGHTWING:
The French and Americans are onto the operation. We're here to recover the assets.

The gauntlet crackles with electricity and the hooded man grits his teeth.

RAPTOR:
Then why are you sneaking around the offices?

Kathy steps between you and squints her eyes. Her face swirls into a spiral, like before, and the man lowers his hand.

KATHY:
Dr. Cornelius asked us to pick up some files for him. Can you take us to the weapons now?
RAPTOR:
Frikkin gadžo. Follow me.

He walks towards an elevator while you whisper to Kathy.

NIGHTWING:
What was that True Blood glamour thing you just did?
KATHY:
That's need to know only, darling. Just stay out of my way and we'll be fine.

The elevator takes you to a storage basement filled with crates.

RAPTOR:
To the left is what we're selling to Zola, and the right is normal inventory.
NIGHTWING:
Ho hal? Ho hal zolo khardjo?
KATHY:
What are you doing?!
RAPTOR
Hom manuš. Hom Raptor!
NIGHTWING:
This guy's Roma. I'm establishing a rappor-

BZZZZT
Raptor fires a bolt of electricity from his gauntlet that Kathy narrowly dodges.

RAPTOR:
Gadžo! Ho kerjal?!
KATHY:
Hypnos is compromised by strong emotions! You broke my link!

Kathy reaches for her firearm, but a lasso uncoils from the gauntlet and tears it from her hands.
You throw a smoke bomb and both of you take cover behind a crate.

NIGHTWING:
This is why it's important for you to tell me things!
KATHY:
This is why you should have stayed out of my way!

Kathy throws a pair of knives at the overhead lights, bathing the room in darkness and broken glass.
She rushes from cover and pummels Raptor with a hail of blows before stabbing him twice in the shoulder.
Raptor grins, none of it affected him! He grabs her by the throat with the gauntlet.

RAPTOR:
You, I will learn from.

You throw two birdarangs at his arm, breaking the grip.

RAPTOR
And you, I will teach.

His gauntlet sprays purple smoke into your face. By the time you reach him, you are already passing out.

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{Pencils and greytones: Mikel Janín. Inks:Mikel Janín, Hugo Petrus, Juan Castro. Colors: Jeromy Cox. Letters:Carlos M. Mangual}

You wake up with your hands bound and your body tied to a chair. You flex your face in shock.

RAPTOR:
Don't worry, čavo. I didn't touch the mask.
NIGHTWING:
I'm not a kid.
RAPTOR:
Then this should be easy.

He raises his gauntlet.

RAPTOR:
As I read you, Suyolak reads me and finds the most perfect cure for what ails you...

You brace yourself for torture

RAPTOR:
And what you need is to sit down, shut up, and listen.

A hologram beams from Suyolak, showing Zola selling Afro-French teens advanced weaponry.

RAPTOR:
I caught Zola dealing US superweapons in Clichy-sous-Bois last year. Of course, no one cared about ray guns in France when it was just Blacks and Gypsies killing each other.

The hologram changes to Zola in front of Le Blanc and Le Fantôme.

RAPTOR:
So I teamed with C/K to offer him better weapons and better-paying clients. He went from "thugs" to-
NIGHTWING:
Supervillains. You were arming supervillains.
RAPTOR:
The three-headed beast of branding, marketing and advertising is the most powerful force in the world. If you're going to make a mark in this world, you have to appropriate the Beast's methods.
NIGHTWING:
Do you ever stop talking?

The hologram turns off and Raptor plugs Suyolak in a door.

RAPTOR:
I could read what was going through your head during my little lecture. You think I'm just another self-righteous arms dealer. You're what, CIA? RG? Fresh out of training, first big mission to defend the homeland from danger?

The door opens and through a window, you see countless teenagers. All Arab, African, or Roma and all mutilated in some way.
Short-circuiting cybernetics. Failed mutations. Or just plain old horrific scarring.

RAPTOR:
The homeland is the danger. I have something, Nightwing. Something the privileged, the one percent politicians, and the billionaire playboys fear more than anything. A way to bring them into the light.

CKRASHH!

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{Pencils: Ivan Reis. Inks: Oclair Alber. Colors:
Sula Moon}

Kathy breaks through the window, firing her sidearm as she shields herself from the glass with her coat.

KATHY:
I thought he'd never shut up. I'll have to free you later, I'm afraid. I can't risk another mission compromise.

You stand up with the handcuffs twirling through your fingers.

NIGHTWING:
I got out of these in the first 30 seconds, I just needed more intel.

Kathy looks toward the kids.

KATHY:
That's ten seconds earlier than I did. Maybe you have some skills after all.

You walk next to her.

NIGHTWING:
What happens to them?
KATHY:
Wards of the state? Or maybe France sends some Gammanauts to clean their dirty laundry. It's really not my problem.

She reaches down to Suyolak.

KATHY:
This should have the intel we need on it.

The gauntlet reaches up and crushes her hand.

RAPTOR:
Here's all the intel you need.

He headbutts her hard enough to crack his mask, revealing gold-weighted eyelids. He stands up while still gripping her hand.

The fabric of his shirt burns away to reveal cracked armor-covered and scarred skin.

RAPTOR:
Take a look, glowie. This is what happens when your country lets a kid's flesh rot because his mom didn't have the right piece of paper.

Kathy kicks Raptor in the shoulder with a blade from her shoe. His gauntlet arm goes limp and he drops her.

KATHY
Beating you up is so tiresome. Let's skip to the solution, shall we? You tell me how you found where the weapons came from or we tell the French what you're doing here and you rot in La Santé. There, see? Now we don't have to punch eachother. Isn't that more pleasant?

RAPTOR:
Tell the French? Ha! Who do you think this is for? American-style villains ravaging the good pale faces of Paris? You being here proves it's a matter of time before they connect the tech to the states. A viral-ready news story to sweep the globe, and right when everyone's eyes are on "The Grand Republic," I reveal their dirty secrets, and the Beast eats itself alive.
KATHY: Death it is. I can always pry that toy from your corpse.
RAPTOR:
They've been indoctrinated already but its not too late for you. Look at who's on your side.

He stares at Kathy.

RAPTOR:
And look who's on mine.

He turns to the kids looking at you from the window.

>Spyral, Part Two
"Let's take him down!"

> Stay Centered
"We don't have to fight, let's talk this out."

> The Master Class
"He's right!"

>>5259016
> The Master Class
Kathy's too evil and this dude does have a point, let's kick her ass first and then talk it out with Raptor.

>>5259016
>The Master Class

I am amused, and pleased, by how you managed to make Dick Grayson feel like a modern social justice legacy character just by pointing out that he's pretty much always been a minority.

Can't believe no /pol/locks have thrown a shitfit yet, though.

>>5259034
Plenty minority and social justice-type characters can and have worked great, but pretty much only when the writers use nuance and subtlety. The problem is that most of the writers for that trope have the subtlety and nuance of a dick shaped sledgehammer smashing into your front teeth.

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I'm glad you liked it. One of the fun things about adapting a long running franchise from the start is that you get to inject later developments into earlier stories, in this case Dick's Roma heritage.

When the storyline took us to France it was a natural place to play into it given that Europe is host to a large Roma population and also deals with a lot of anti-Romani sentiment.

Researching the different dialects was also fun. (Dick uses angloromani terms while Raptor speaks Sinte/Manuš )

And reinterpreting Dick's classic stick weapons as a Calé walking/fighting cane was pretty cool.

>>5259073
>all this autistic research
I like it. This is a good quest. Try not to burn yourself out.

>>5259016
>KATHY: This should have the intel we need on it.
>The gauntlet reaches up and crushes her hand.
>RAPTOR: Here's all the intel you need, (insert "bitch" in whatever dialect Raptor talks in).
What a cool comic book moment in a comic book quest.
>Raptor calls Nightwing a glowie
Uhh... I didn't know gypsies could be this based...

>>5259016
> The Master Class
This is Dick's mission, not Bruce's. Even then, I get the impression Batman would do the same. Kathy needs to shut the fuck up and stop being a bitch. Those weapons are gonna be handled, but that doesn't mean the innocent children need to be shafted for it more than the corpos and techies shafted them.

>>5259016
Our mission is to stop the arms being traded. The corpo's and governments of the world are not our concern.
I'm hoping the option I choose is the "The guns have to come off the streets, but I don't care about the rich's reputation"

>Stay Centred.

>>5259073
Ah fuck, now I want a snazzy Roma fightin' cane.

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Locking for The Master Class. Next update within 24 hours. Thanks for the feedback.

>>5260566
Uh, Bro?

>>5264381
(Work got ahead of me again. Update is almost finished and should be done before Morning EST)

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{Pencils: Paris Cullis. Inks: Malcome Jones III}
NIGHTWING:
He’s right!

Kathy instantly and silently turns the gun on you.
*WHRR-TIK*
Raptor presses Suyolak with his working arm and the lights go off.
*BAM!*
Kathy’s shot grazes your shoulder. Even in total darkness, she managed to draw blood.

NIGHTWING:
Night-Vision!

You see Kathy making a run for it and you throw a bolo-Birdarang at her.
She throws a flashbang of her own and the light blinds you through your Night-Vison.

NIGHTWING:
Ah!!
KATHY:
We’ll be in touch.

You hear her running out the exit while Raptor's heavy footsteps approach you.
RAPTOR:
Let her go ‘Wing. We’re playing the long game. Take off your mask.
NIGHTWING:
We’re not there yet.
RAPTOR:
*Dadi! Kava manuš.* Do you want to see? Fine. Look, I’m closing my eyes.

Your eyes are still fuzzy but you open them enough to confirm he isn't looking.
Once you do, you take your mask off and cover your face with your hands.
Raptor lays Suyolak over your hand and you move your palm away so it's on your bare eyes.

RAPTOR:
As I said, Suyolak finds the most perfect cure for what ails you.

The fuzzy burn wears off as the lights cut back on. Raptor removes his hand as you put your mask back on.

NIGHTWING::
So what’s the next move?
RAPTOR:
As I said, let the Beast eat itself. You leak to the French the Americans are behind the robberies, then I leak to the world what the French have been paying those labs to do.
NIGHTWING:
This has been going on across Europe?
RAPTOR:
This has been going on across the WORLD. The moment l'homme d'acier showed up, the world powers used every reasource they could to compete. Including Human.
NIGHTWING:
We’re talking about the seeds of a superhuman world war.
RAPTOR:
New world, same old *ful*. The poor and the dark, getting fucked over for the rich and the white. Speaking of, you should get ready.
NIGHTWING:
For what?
RAPTOR:
C/K hired me to design their security. I should know what would trigger the silent alarm. We should have about-

*WHRR-CLIK*

RAPTOR: Less than a minute before Catalyst gets here. Merc asshole C/K hired along with me.

He tosses you a gas mask shaped like a bird beak.

NIGHTWING:
Branding, right?

He snaps his on.

RAPTOR:
Told you about the Beast’s weapons.
NIGHTWING:
So what’s the plan for Catalyst?
RAPTOR: I’ll be honest with you, ‘Wing. I have whatever I need because I’m not much of a planner. Jump first, there's plenty of time to figure it out on the way down, I say.

Your mother used to say that too. Before you can bring it up, you notice someone enter the room and you draw your birdarangs.

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{Art:Ivan Reis, Oclair Albert, Sula Moon}
CATALYST:
Raptor? *Qu’est-ce que se passe?*
RAPTOR:
*Ta mort!*

Several bullets fire from Suyolak and bounce off red and silver armor. Catalyst responds with wrist-fired darts.

NIGHTWING:
Get down!

You push Raptor out the way before the darts hit you both.

CATALYST:
American interloper! They call me Catalyst, the Human Pharmacopeia! I can generate any known drug, through my body, including, for example, Sodium Penthohol!

He sprays a mist through his armor that fills the room.

NIGHTWING:
Chatty one isn't he?
RAPTOR:
Now you know why I skip office parties. This mist will lear through the window soon. Do *you* have any big plans?
NIGHTWING:
Yeah, Nightwinging it!

With pinpoint aim, you throw several birdarangs in the walls surrounding Catalyst. Your voice projects through them

NIGHTWING:
Haha ha haha
CATALYST:
You mock me?! The Human Pharmacopeia?! Let us see if you can mock Sulfazin! Curare! Mefloquine!

He fires darts into the mist.

NIGHTWING:
For a Pharmacopeia, you sure are bad at drugging. Are you trying to kill me or throw me a party?

RAPTOR:
That’s it!

Raptor charges through the mist and strikes several times with Suyolak.

RAPTOR:
Now I’m close enough to slice your soft spots.
CATALYST:
*Non!*

Raptor makes a few cuts before he slumps over.

RAPTOR:
*Ta!* I didn’t feel him tag me.

Catalyst aims his darts at Raptor’s face.

CATALYST:
Now, you *gitan* thug. You will taste the fatal sting of Catalyst, the Human Pharma-

POW!

NIGHTWING:
You talk too much.

Catalyst falls and begins gyrating and foaming at the mouth. You rush to give first aid.

NIGHTWING:
No! What’s going on! I couldn't have hit him that hard.
RAPTOR:
Your quip about the drugs. I realize they must all be stored in his body somehow, So if I sliced him up enough, his own blood would become the world's biggest speedball.

Catalyst tenses and dies. You look on in shock.

NIGHTWING:
*Amari*
RAPTOR:
Nightwing it. I like it. Claudius won't know what hit him.

He smiles and gives you a thumbs up.

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{Pencils: Ross Andru. Inks: Dell Barras. Colors:
Gene D'Angelo}

NIGHTWING:
No. I didn't do this. What are you talking about?
RAPTOR:
Look around, with the mess we made it's a matter of time before the Doc goes to ground. We need to track him down and eliminate him before he crosses the border.
NIGHTWING:
You’re talking about murder.
RAPTOR:
I let C/K hire me so I could destroy them from the inside. A rich, entitled bastard gets killed? That’s justice.
NIGHTWING:
Justice... Justice would be turning them over to the law! Prosecuting them using evidence! Sending them to prison for their crimes!
RAPTOR:
Prison? Hahaha. I thought you moved beyond this. I’m disappointed honestly. You’re still going by the American version of justice. The version where rich bastards hire high-powered lawyers and get a slap on the wrist, while mentally ill outcasts get the crap kicked out of them and thrown in a dark hole.

He points to the experiment victims.

RAPTOR:
He did this FOR the people in charge. You really think they’ll punish him? At best he’ll be paperclipped to some secret lab to continue his work.

He lowers his voice and looks at you empathetically.

RAPTOR:
I get it, this is a big leap. You don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, but you have to know this is the right move

> Raptor's Revenge
Join Raptor to try to kill Dr. Klaus Claudius Cornelius.

>Rise of Raptor
Let Raptor go to kill Cornelius on his own.

>The Noble, the Obnoxious, and the Inept
Try to stop Raptor

[This will be the second to last vote for this Thread.]

>>5265776
>Raptor's Revenge
BUT, if we can, we should prevent him from killing Claudius... And instead turn him over to Batman. Raptor has a point, but Batman has the resources and aptitudes to hold him accountable OUTSIDE of the corrupt framework of the law.

>>5265776
>Justice is protecting people. It is getting these people free and exposing this sickness to the world's eyes.

>I'll go with you, but we aren't killing Cornelius. There are means to hold them accountable, and blood isn't it.

>>5265788
Because legit, we need to get as many people here as far from the lab as possible.

If Raptor doesn't acknowledge this, then he's on the wrong path. Vengence is worthless as a social cause.

>>5265788
+1, but I like bringing up Batman in >>5265782
Raptor wants revenge in the form of murder, because he says the rich and powerful will stop any real justice from happening to the doctor. Murder is the only way, because the doctor will be kept alive and slapped on the wrist to continue his work unimpeded otherwise. The rich and powerful are outside the system, so they can do whatever for their interests. Batman is rich and poweful, but is basically the only such one who works on the side of justice- therefore, his being outside the system lets him mete out the same sort of punishment Raptor wants but knows won't happen normally. And yes, what >>5265790 said about getting people away from the lab is worth mentioning too. Raptor refusing to try Batman's help once offered in good faith, even when Nightwing openly admitted Raptor is right and is taking his side in this, means bloodlust has overcome any real desires for goodness to prevail, and that means Raptor is using the experiment victims as a cop-out excuse for what he really wants. At that point, he needs to see sense or be stopped, for he becomes a different sort of monster entirely than the rich he seeks to destroy.

>>5265753
Feels bad Catalyst died like that. A complete accidental murder on Nightwing's part. This could eat at him later, whenever that happens. Right now the mission is priority.

>>5258965
>Something the privileged, the one percent politicians, and the billionaire playboys fear more than anything. A way to bring them into the light.
>the billionaire playboys fear more than anything. A way to bring them into the light.
lol if only Batman could hear Raptor say that shit

>>5265801
Shit, I forgot all this initially happened because of the weapons dealing going on, starting with Nightwing being trained and sent to that auction early on. As long as the weapons get taken off the street, that plot thread will be dealt with. But that's after we finish our business with Raptor and the Doctor, yes?

Locking for Raptor's Revenge with the stated modifications.

The final update will be posted in sections through the weekend and into the week.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

>>5266630
Thanks for running it!

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{Dialouge: Tim Seely. Pencils and Inks:Javier Fernández . Colors: Chris Sotomayor. Letters: Carlos M. Mangual }

NIGHTWING:
I'll help you catch Doctor Cornelius, but not kill him.
RAPTOR:
That's not an option, 'Wing.
NIGHTWING:
There is always an option. You thought I was special forces, but I'm something different. My partner and I work outside the system, to bring justice when it can't.
RAPTOR:
Your partner who just pulled a gun on you?
NIGHTWING:
No. My real partner.

You pull out your wrist communicator.
NIGHTWING:
Birdwatcher to Mr. Malone, we found the source of the weapons.
RAPTOR:
It's probably because I'm na džinel či, but I trust you. Let's see this partner.
---
BATMAN:
Where are their parents?

Those were the first words he spoke since you explained the situation to him. He spent the whole time here just staring at the kids.

RAPTOR:
Murdered, imprisoned, forgotten? The French kidnapped thousands of children just for free labor. Imagine what they'd do for supermen.
BATMAN:
Homes and families. Every one of them.
RAPTOR:
And while you're patting yourself on the back for that, these scum will have orphaned a thousand more.

Bruce turns to point at Raptor.

BATMAN:
We capture on this mission. Not kill, do you understand?

Raptor sneers back.

RAPTOR:
I understand you're a control freak who doesn't know how to deal with someone he can't order around.
NIGHTWING:
Hey! This isn't productive. If what you said about the security is right, the doctor might be already on to us.

Raptor pulls out a tablet.

RAPTOR:
I got my eyes on the Doc right here. He thinks he's safe in his office bunker. But I have the keys.
BATMAN:
You can go through the front then. Nightwing and I will infiltrate based on your plans.
RAPTOR:
Didn't I tell you you're not in charge here?
BATMAN:
Do you have a better idea?

Raptor grins at you.

RAPTOR:
Why don't we start Nightwinging it?

Bruce gives you a questioning stare and you cringe internally.

RAPTOR:
Buteo.

With a whistle, an orange and gray helicopter hovers outside the window.

RAPTOR:
First things first, partners. Sidekicks in the back.

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{Pencils: Dale Eaglesham. Inks: Art Thiber. Colors: Jeromy Cox}

The air above Castle Cornelius stirs as the Buteo arrives at a private landing strip. Raptor walks out and through a checkpoint attended by two guards.
He comes to an elevator and types in a code. Thick titanium doors open and let him in. The lift descends for a long time, opening in an all-white bunker.

RAPTOR:
Quoi de neuf, docteur ?

Raptor opens his hands in a sarcastic greeting in front of Dr. Cornelius, who sneers in his chair.

CORNELIUS:
I told you no Baguettefresser talk around me. It's bad enough you don't know Deutsch.
RAPTOR:
Sorry, Doc, I guess all the crime against humanity had me too busy to learn a fifth language.
CORNELIUS:
What’s it now? Growing a conscious? I'd think with what I'm paying you, you could cry tears of gold.

Raptor takes off his mask, revealing his gold-weighted eyelids.

RAPTOR:
Already have.

WHHH-TIK
Raptor grabs Cornelius with Suyolak.

RAPTOR:
So glad I could do this up close.
CORNELIUS:
Dummkopf.
RAPTOR:
AHH!!

Raptor collapses with two darts sticking from his back.

CORNELIUS:
Did you actually think I didn't know what you were? I could smell your treachery as much as your Zigeuner stench.

Cornelius is flanked by several people in suits like Catalysts’

CORNELIUS:
New model is in. Thanks to all the work I did cutting up your countrymen. I wonder how long you'll survive my study?

The Catalysts move closer to Raptor, then Suyolak lets out an electric pulse that shocks them and cuts out the lights.

RAPTOR:
Funny thing about studying.

Loud footsteps clang through the darkness.

RAPTOR:
I had to do a lot of it to get by. A poor leper manouche learned every tool of his predators to survive.
CATLAYST:
Sir, stay ba-AKK!

Raptor knocks the Catalyst down and steps slowly toward Cornelius while keeping his breath steady.

RAPTOR:
How to fake feeling pain, how to fake being a good employee.

He looks into Cornelius’ eyes.

RAPTOR:
How to fake being alone.

BOOOSH!!!

You and Dick crash into the bunker. The room fills with chaos as darts fly and the high-tech Batsuit powers through the enemies.
Cornelius crawls towards a hidden escape hatch but Dick throws a birdarang through his hand.

CORNELIUS:
AHHHHH!!
NIGHTWING:
Sorry, doc, but we have an appointment.

The light comes on, and Cornelius looks up at you, Dick and Raptor surrounded by fallen Catalysts.

QM?

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{Dialogue: Tim Seeley. Pencils & Inks: Javier Fernández. Colors: Chris Sotomayor. Letters: Carlos M. Mangual}

CORNELIUS:
Ahhhhhh!
RAPTOR:
Nice one ‘Wing. Knew you had it in you.

He walks next to Cornelius.

BATMAN:
We get this over with. Klaus!

You turn his head to face you
.
BATMAN:
We know about the experiments. We know about your deal with the French. You tell us who your contacts are, how you were paid, and the entire operation. Or things become very unpleasant for you.
CORNELIUS:
*Verdammter verrückter!*
NIGHTWING:
I’d be more cooperative if I were you, otherwise, this information goes to the press here and now.
RAPTOR:
Actually, I did it thirty-five minutes ago.

He turns around, wearing a gas mask. You reach for a Batarang but your hands are too firm to close. Dick rushes for Raptor but collapses in his foe's arms.

NIGHTWING:
Why?
RAPTOR:
Sorry, kid. I told you I play the long game.
BATMAN:
We had a plan, Raptor!

Your knees buckle as you see Raptor standing over Cornelius.

RAPTOR:
What can I say, I guess I prefer Nightwinging it.
____
Motor oil. Rust. Loose soil under your feet. Even before your eyes open your training tells you you’re at a junkyard.

RAPTOR:
Looking for the laser-cutting tool you kept in your gauntlet? I found that. Or maybe the boomerang stuffed in your boot? Got that, too.

He flourishes Suyolak.

RAPTOR:
See, I’m pretty familiar with “utility.”
BATMAN:
Raptor, you helped us bring down Cornelius. You’ve done some good. It’s not too late. We can still settle this.
RAPTOR:
Oh, it’s being settled all right.

He turns on the floodlights. Dick is chained to an engine block and Cornelius is tied to some metallic contraption.

RAPTOR:
After I posted online what Cornelius had done, the Beast’s puppets in the media got to work. “National defense.” “Necessary evil.” C/K stock price is going up. They’re buying into his brand like fast food addicts. They’ve been taught to work against thier own interests.
He shows you a mobile phone full of headlines about the scandal.

RAPTOR:
Still think it’s worth “going by the book?”

Dick “wakes up.”

NIGHTWING:
Stop this!
RAPTOR:
Nightwing. You’re just in time for your final lesson.

He walks to Cornelius.

NIGHTWING:
Murdering an unarmed man? I thought you had honor.
RAPTOR:
Oh, you’re right. *I’m* not going to kill him.

He presses a button on the chair and a sharpened spoon inches toward Klaus’ heart. He slaps the man awake.

RAPTOR:
When the stock price reaches 200 Euro, this lever will plunge a sharpened silver spoon right into your blue blood-pumping heart. You’re gonna die by your own crimes, Klaus. Bled out by your own arrogance.
CORNELIUS:
This is insane!
RAPTOR:
This is branding! The same symbolism and theatrics your kind have used to get the little people to do your dirty work since the dawn of time.

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{Pencils & Inks: Javier Fernández. Colors: Chris Sotomayor. Letters: Carlos M. Mangual}

Raptor turns to Dick.

RAPTOR:
They want us to turn on each other. To be distracted by little things like whose god said what and what country our man-suit was made in. They build their mansions on our bones and demand our worship.

*WHRR-KLK*
A camera in the chair turns on.

RAPTOR:
No more! When the world sees what proper justice is, they’ll learn the same lesson I hope you two do. The master’s tools can never tear down the master’s house.
NIGHTWING:
I know you can’t feel pain.

He flips out his chains and kicks Raptor in the face.

NIGHTWING:
So think of this as my attempt to shut your damn face.

Raptor spits blood and teeth while Dick runs to free you.

RAPTOR:
How?!
NIGHTWING:
We knew if you pulled something like this you’d want us alive. Drugging was the best way to do that, so prepped with counter stimulants. Was awake and picking your locks the whole time.
RAPTOR:
You can try to stop me, but you can’t stop justice.

*WHHR-KLLK*

A car magnet grabs the top of Cornelius’ deathtrap and raises him up.
CORNELIUS:
Save me!

Raptor lunges at Dick. The two warriors exchange blows while exchanging words.

RAPTOR:
Even now he sees you as tools! As things to be consumed and sold.

Dick’s almost as good as Raptor. Almost. He got one of your hands free, you just need to work your way out.

NIGHTWING:
There are better ways. *Always*. This show isn’t about justice, it’s about making you feel better.

Dick lands a gut punch and runs for the magnet controls, but Raptor fires a lasso from Suyolak and grabs his foot.

RAPTOR:
If your justice can’t do that for me, for all the people his kind hurt, what good is it?!

Dick jams a Birdarang in the cord and presses a button. A jolt of electricity flows through it and shocks them both until Raptor releases the rope. Dick crawls up.

NIGHTWING:
This will only make it worse for the people you want to help. They’ll hunt them down because of what YOU did.

Raptor leans on Suyolak to stand and raises the sparking gauntlet at Dick.

RAPTOR:
And we’ll hunt them right back. I’m French. You’re American. We’re revolutionaries. These metahumans? This Supertech? They level the playing field. For the first time power can be in the hands of the people, and you can make the world a better place!
BATMAN:
He already is.

You throw a shard of rusty metal into Suyolak. Raptor could take your weapons but not your skills.

BATMAN:
I understand Raptor. The pain, being stuck in a moment so much you want to, *need to* lash out at the world. But I had someone. And when I saved him, it saved me.

Raptor is surrounded by the two of you. Suyolak clicks impotently around the metal.

NIGHTWING:
You said this was our education. But it can be yours. There’s a better way to do this. We can show you.

Raptor closes his eyes and sighs.

RAPTOR:
Maybe next time.
He throws Suyolak to the ground and it explodes.
NIGHTWING:
Get to Raptor! I got Cornelius!

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{Pencils & Inks: Javier Fernández. Colors: Chris Sotomayor. }

Parkouring up a pile of rusty metal should feel terrifying but to you, it feels like home.
The floating feeling in your belly as you make the leaps, the taunting of death with every move.
Raptor may be able to beat Nightwing, but he can’t catch a Flying Grayson.

NIGHTWING:
Don’t worry cueball, a little hotwiring and you’ll be on solid ground and on your way to a cell in no time.
RAPTOR:
Like he’d ever see one.

Raptor is right below you, his bloody hands gripping into the metal as a thing possessed!

NIGHTWING:
Stop! You’ll fall.
RAPTOR:
Then I’ll take him with me.

He leaps up, destablizng the platform.

BATMAN:
Catch!

Bruce throws a piece of metal at the wire above you, it falls next to your hand just as the three of you flip over.
You swing on it and grab Cornelius and Raptor both. He could take your ropes, but not your skills.

RAPTOR:
Looks like you got a choice to make ’Wing. Him or me.
NIGHTWING:
I can...hnnn.. save you both.
RAPTOR:
No, you can’t. And if you keep trying we’re all gonna fall.
NIGHTWING:
There is *ALWAYS* another way.
RAPTOR:
Yeah. An this is it.

He pulls a knife from his leg and stabs his own hand. The blood poors causing his hand to slowly to slip away.

RAPTOR:
If you’re still in town, check out Haley’s Circus. I’ve seen every show on the tour. You’ll learn the true meaning of *familja.*

Your grip finally slips and Raptor crashes into the rusty junk below. The shockwave destablizes the entire stack
With practiced ease you grab Cornelius and swing the both of you through the falling stacks until you land safely.
You look at where Raptor fell and see only a mountain of rusty metal.

CORNELIUS: (WHEEZING)
I... I will pay you anyth-

WHAM!

Sirens ring through the air and Bruce puts a sympathetic hand on your shoulder.

BATMAN:
It’s... time to go.
NIGHTWING:
I know.

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{Director: Jeffrey Hunt. Director of Photography: Christopher Norr. Production Design: Richard Berg. Set Decoration: Andrew Baseman. Set Dressers: Ryan Vincent Gargiulo, Guy L. Bermel, Maxwell Fasen. Assistant Set Decorator: Ashley Wellbrock. Set Decoration Buyer: Amanda Finnegan. Construction Foreman: Ryan Brinkley. Construction Production Assistant: Drew Giacalone. Construction Key Grip: Chris Schait. Construction: Joshua Aaron Williams. Construction Coordinator: John Grimolizzi}

For what it was worth, Raptor was half right. After a Bat-aided trip to the Hauge, Cornelius ratted out enough French politicians to make an Oil company blush.
A wave of resignations led to the new President declaring “an age of transparency” and a push for a shared European Union agency to deal with meta-human crimes. Their first Recruit? A cyborg agent codenamed “Fleur-De-Lis.” Her first public mission is to hunt down the escaped meta-animals from the Department Gamma lab. She has her work cut out for her.
When you brought up what happened with Kathy, Bruce got colder than usual. You can tell there is some history there, but everyone is owed their secrets. Whoever she is, she’s probably not happy with Vicki Vale’s Pulitzer-favored story about the US funneling arms into France.
There are talks of NATO disbanding, and rival organizations rising from Russia to Kasnia.
After the heat went down, Bruce spent most of his time funding the adoption services for the victims of Department Gamma, while you provided a more personal touch. It took a while but every kid found a home
Before you could go back to Gotham, Bruce and Ducard scheduled a final test.

DICK:
I still don’t think I need this Henri. I’ve more than proved myself.
DUCARD
First name basis are we now, Detective?
BRUCE
Ease off, he’s ready for this.

You exit the car with tinted windows... and into Haly’s Circus.
BRUCE:
As I said, you have nothing to prove. There’s still a month left on their tour, have the summer off.
DICK:
And round up some European baddies and intel while I’m at it?

Bruce smiles warmly.
BRUCE:
If you like.
HALY:
Monsieur Wayne. Monsieur Ducard. Richard! Welcome guests of honor.

Haly looks you in the eye.
HALY:
*San tan.*
You start tearing up a bit.
NIGHTWING:
Yes, Yes I am.

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{Props: Christopher Arnold, Peter Lee, Peter Watson, Matt Wyles, Alex Boswell, Derek Ixer, Alex King, Dougie Lankston, John Noble, Brian West}

You see watch Dick and Haly from afar. It’s good he has a support network outside you. It’s important he doesn't turn out like you. Or Raptor.

DUCARD:
“They grow up so fast” is the saying I believe?
BRUCE:
This is the last time I plan on doing this.
DUCARD:
That’s what you said when you left me. Face it, Bruce, you are not one of them.

He gestures to the crowds of smiling families.

DUCARD:
No matter how much you want to be.

You steel your face.

BRUCE:
I’m talking to you for intel, not a lecture.
DUCARD:
Those are the same thing, non?

He pulls out some files.

DUCARD:
Gotham’s changed a lot while you were gone. Law Enforcement’s still run by the feds. Seems like that Agent Turner is good for more than giant pest control.
BRUCE:
The Owls and Falcone are gone. Why is the CBI still in charge?
DUCARD:
The city, hell the world, is changing Bruce. Power vacuums, escalation. Crime doesn’t die. It evolves.

He hands you the file and you go through it.

DUCARD:
Take this guy. Taste for the theatrical, like you. Leaves a calling card. They’re calling him...

> The Criminal
A cunning and murderous thief who operatically announces his crimes in advance.
> The Clown
An “art criminal” known for bizarre displays of “comedy” that cause destruction and chaos just for the sake of it.
> The Comedian
A terrorist who psychologically and physically torments people to prove that society is “one Big Joke.”

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{Art: https://drawception.com/player/142930/wind/ }

>>5276802
Hello players! Thanks for enjoying Batquest, apologies for all the oddities of this second thread (two OPs, three threads, all the delays) but I hope you had fun playing it. I sure had fun writing it with/for you.

While the thread is still up and people are voting for the big villain of the next arc. Feel free to ask any questions.

>What did you think of the separate Bruce and Dick votes?

>What did you think of being away from Gotham for so long in this chapter?

>What are some things you would/wouldn't like to see in the next chapter?

>>5276813
> The Clown

Thanks for running, man! It's been great so far!
>What did you think of the separate Bruce and Dick votes?
I haven't had a problem with them. Makes sense to me.

>What did you think of being away from Gotham for so long in this chapter?
A bit jarring, but Batman goes where Batman's needed--I think it keeps things pretty fresh.

>What are some things you would/wouldn't like to see in the next chapter?
I'm still on the fence about this being written in script format, but it doesn't ruin the game at all so do what you're comfortable with, I guess. I would also recommend posting all of the sections of an update together rather than posting one section, then writing the next--makes things a bit more streamlined. That said, it's been fun. Eager to see what you'll do with the Clown Prince of Crime.

>>5276802
>The Clown

>>5276813
>The separate votes
Likd it, but for next thread mroe Batman focus would be cool.

>The setting
Batman going international was fun, and a nice break from the standard formula one might expect

>What would I like to see?
More Batman focus, and some secondary or unexpected villains and side-characters. I like how you've been mixing it up so far and, while Joker is to be a centrepiece I'm sure, I'd still like to explore the nooks and crannies of the Batmythos as well.

Maybe bringing in some Justice League stuff could be cool, too? But at your own pace.

>>5276852
What update format would you prefer?

>>5276887
If wider DCU stuff is something you would like to see, there are some seeds I planted in this thread that certainly be harvested later down the line.

>>5276802
>The clown

>>5276813
I think the separate votes were alright. It was a globe trotting adventure and a real growing experience for them both, though I can't help but feel he grew up incredibly quickly

Being away from Gotham was alright, but the next chapter should STAY in Gotham. It's batman's homeground for a reason and our extended leave of absence has probably brought a lot of trouble to it.

As the other anons have said, a batman focus since Dick has finished his training and doesn't need our direct attentions so much anymore.
And while I get the other anon's undecided feelings about the script layout, I actually approve of it. It gives a unique feel and style to you.

I simply think that putting them out together would be better, rather than getting two posts, then hours to days before the scene concludes. Different scenes can get breaks, sure but not the same moment to moment pannel

>>5276802
> The Comedian

>>5276802
> The Comemedian

>>5276813
>What did you think of the separate Bruce and Dick votes?
Pretty good, but would wear itself thin if done too often
>What did you think of being away from Gotham for so long in this chapter?
Unexpected, but forays into different countries, strange worlds, and weird scenarios is par for the comics
>What are some things you would/wouldn't like to see in the next chapter?
Give me Bruce and Dick figuring out what happened while they were out. Give me Agent Turner blowharding and boasting about how good he and his CBI are at handling Gotham, and being partially right but not entirely (for Gotham still needs Batman). Give me Alfred snarking about Bruce and Dick being away. Give me FINALLY chasing the plot thread of "who really supplied Man-Bat with those gene mod shit." And one of these days, give me a Watchmen surprise crossover. I don't have anything else to say right now, except your quest is cool

>>5276813
>>5277097
Oh yeah, I love the script layout and telling of the quest. It fits very well for obvious reasons, and I don't think other quests have done this for their stories. In addition to the same criticisms >>5276852 and >>5276970 in regards to editing and breaking up for the posts, please perform more proofreading and correcting of typos and similar reading quality edits.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, did anyone have any questions about the story itself? Plotlines? Behind the scenes stuff, Comics that influenced it?

>>5276802
The Clown

>>5276813
I pretty much agree with >>5276970 and >>5277097

Thanks for the notes everyone. Any suggestions for what to put in the suptg recap?

Or storylines/characters you would like to see adapted?

>>5281811
Bane, Lincoln March

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>>5281811
Bat-merman or, more seriously, Lori Lemaris

May want to archive this soon, BatQM.