Chapter Text
Fade in, (insert background music: Sundara Karma - Indigo puff) …
- Rays of warm yellow sunlight peaks through the curtains of the Gotham Academy Belfry, inside were two of the city’s heroes, or more accurately, one hero, and a part-timer, lying in bed sound asleep, a young blonde-haired man, and a redheaded girl, both under a blanket.
Turner: (Spooning the beautiful and semi stable girl from behind, wakes and kisses the cress of her neck and speaks with a smile and whispered tone). Good morning.
Duela: (Duela purrs to the gesture, and the guy she likes lying next to her and speaks with her eyes still closed but with a smile). Not just yet. We were up most of the night yesterday.
Turner: True. We busted up 4 drug rings with the others.
Duela: (She opens her eyes and turns around with a sleepy/seductive look on her face). You and I both know that’s not what I was talking about, Bat-brat.
Turner: (He chuckles with a smirk on his face). Oh, I know what you were talking about. (he moves his head in closer to kiss her on the lips this time, and lays onto his back)
Duela: (She rests her head on his chest with her left arm draped over his right shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body, giving her a sense of peace, she whispers). Can we just stay here all day?
Turner: What if the others need us?
Duela: I’m pretty sure little bird and the others can handle things without us for a day. Consider that a perk of being on a team, I guess.
Turner: Fair enough. Hey if it helps to get you in the mood, we could go to the library again or somewhere else in the school. (He Smirked).
Duela: (She raises her head with a biting her bottom lip). Mmm, now that’s kinky, I love it. (She moved in for another kiss, but just before their lips touched again, Duella was thrown out of bed, by one of the courts Talons).
(End song) …
- Duela landed in front of two other Talons and held her by both her shoulders and wrists so she could not move. While the remaining three went after Turner. The young Gotham Knight managed to land a few solid blows, ultimately, he was outnumbered, and they had him on the floor. The three hooded blade wielding murderers began beating Turner to a pulp. due to a substance in their blood called “Electrum”, it gave the Talons some extra strength and a healing factor and Duela could actually hear Turners ribs crack from a few of the hits he was taking.
Duela: STOP! LEAVE HIM ALONE ASSHOLES!
- But they did not listen because they do not take orders from her, but from another.
(Insert background music: NETFLIX Punisher: Tyler Bates: Made an enemy) …
Rebecca: Enough! Don’t kill him just yet. (The head of the former Court of Owls walks in through the door).
- The three talons, pick up Turner, his face and body covered in bruises and his own blood
Turner: I thought you were dead.
Rebecca: Oh, come now, Turner you know that electrum makes it hard for people like us to die.
Turner: What do you want?
Rebecca: To kill you and your friends, of course. Do you want to know why you are all going to die this time? Because I’m not going to waste any time. One by one you will all die. You, your little girlfriend over there, Stephanie, all of you. (She looks up to the Talon with the executioners ax). I just wanted to say goodbye one last time, to you and the Batman legacy forever. Finish him off, the sooner they’re all dead. The sooner I can rebuild the court and take back MY city. My son may prove a little difficult to kill given that he has electrum as well, but I’ll figure something out.
- The Talon with the ax raised his weapon, ready to execute Turner medieval style.
Turner: (Turner looked over at the girl he fell hard for with blood on his face). Duela, I want you to know that I love…
Before Turner could finish speaking, the talon swung the ax down, beheading the son of the Dark Knight
Duela: (Duela, screamed at the top of her lungs). NOOOO!!!!!…
(End song) …
- Duela shot right up in bed yelling NOOOO!!!!! Realizing it was all just a nightmare, she could feel beads of sweat running down her back and the side of her face, and her heart racing. After realizing it was a dream she sighed with relief. Just then, Carrie comes charging through the door with her explosive crossbow in hand.
Carrie: DROP IT NOW!
Duela: It’s ok little bird, just a nightmare.
Carrie: (Sighed with relief and put her crossbow down and a hand to her chest). Must I’ve been some nightmare if it made you scream like that. (Carrie sat down on the bed next to Duela and put her hand on her shoulder). Do you want to talk about it?
- Duela nodded her head no
Carrie: Ok. Come on let’s go get something to eat in the kitchen and maybe then you can tell me about it. Duela, you’re my best friend, remember. A semi mentally unstable best friend. But a best friend nonetheless (Carrie and Duela both chuckled). You know you can talk to me. Which means I’m here. Ok?
Duela: Ok, let’s go, but you might want to put that back before your mom gets home from her double shift at the hospital. Hey, what time is it anyway?
Carrie: (She pulled out her phone). It’s just after 1:20.
- Less than a month after Turner death, it felt strange living at the belfry without Turner around, and she showed up at Carries place and knocked on the door with a packed duffel bag.
Duela: Hey, I know this is kind of on the spot, but is it OK if I crash here for a while? It hasn’t felt the same since Bat-brat died. I’ll pay rent, I just don’t have anywhere else to go.
Carrie: (Fully understanding). Come on in.
—————————
- It took Carrie some convincing for her mom to let her stay. Eventually, after hearing what Duela's mother did, selling her out for the reward money when she was a fugitive, Dr. Kelley realized what example she would be setting for her daughter if she didn’t agree, and that Carrie wouldn’t be friends with her unless she was an ok person. And Duela has been living in their guest room ever since.
- Brody was now the only one living at the belfry since no landlord was going to let the son of the former leaders of the Court of Owls rent to them out of fear or resentment towards the Court. And Cullen, Harper and Stephanie all got an apartment together on the north side of the Narrows.
—————————
- Carrie and Duela were now in the kitchen eating mint chip Ice cream
Carrie: Ok. Now that my heart rate is back to normal, and we’ve had some mint chip, you wanna tell me what got you to scream like that?
- Duela didn’t answer and just looked down at her bowl and took another bite.
Carrie: It was about him again, wasn’t it?
Duela: (She put down her spoon and sighed). Yeah. I don’t know why I keep dreaming about him lately, it’s been 8 months since IT happened. I just don’t know.
Carrie: I don’t know why either. But what I do know is that if Turner was still here, he would be insanely proud of you for keeping the team together. Plus there is no way in hell that any of us going to forget him, otherwise we all got these matching tattoos for nothing. (She said while lifting up her pajama shirt revealing on the right side of her abdomen a black octagon with a capital GK inside. Making her friend smile a small bit)
Duela: (looking at her own tat on her left forearm with a small added bat above it) Thanks, but it still doesn’t stop the dreams.
Carrie: You know, my mom does have a few friends who are therapist, maybe they could help. They did with the rest of us.
Duela: I appreciate the offer little bird, but I think I’ve been around enough shrinks to last a lifetime. But thanks for the offer.
Carrie: That’s fair. (Just then both their phones went off at the same time and see their team logo flashing red with a message from Cullen “Riot in the Narrows between the Mutants and the Maroni crime family, all hands-on deck”. They look at each other). You too?
Duela: Yup. Time to party. (Duela took one last big bite of her ice cream then went to gear up with Carrie).
MEANWHILE…
- A massive street fight is unfolding with small handful of civilians caught in the middle of it trying taking cover. GCPD keeping a perimeter around the fight but couldn’t move forward without one of the rioters pulling out a gun and it escalates into a shootout.
Apone: (Speaking into his radio) Perimeter secure, Red Wolf, Spoiler, Blue Bird (Cullen, Stephanie and Harper) your up get in there get the civilians out and shut this down!
(Wolf emblem on left side of Vest) (pretend the facial hair isn’t there)
(S emblem on both shoulders)
(Bird emblem on left side and back of jacket)
Red Wolf: Copy that Captain, we’re on it.
- Apone was promoted from desk sergeant to Captain after the last one was killed during the Talons assault on GCPD during the Night of Owls.
(Insert background music: Blake Neely, Arrow soundtrack - Chasing the hood) …
- Just then a zip line shot over the police perimeter and our 3 knights descended to the ground.
Red Wolf: I’ll get the people out you 2 take care of the thugs. Ready?
Spoiler & Blue Bird: (Answering in unison as they extended and pumped their bow staff and pulse rifle). Ready!
Red Wolf: Let's move!
- The 3 knights charged towards the raging conflict
- A young black-haired woman and her daughter were trying to make their way through the conflict, the mother had her arm around her child but were knocked over by an extra-large mutant.
Mutant 1: Well, well, what do we have here? What brings a pretty thing like you here with your daughter?
The Mother: Please. Don’t hurt us. My little girl is all I have.
Mutant 1: Oh, come on we’re just getting to know each other. (With a smirk as he moves in closer). I’ll keep you safe.
Red Wolf: Hey! I think you need to brush up on body language! (He unclips one of his stun batons from both his upper arm and activates it). Hers says never gonna happen!
Mutant 1: What the hell you say?!
- The mutant steps forward and swings right then left, Red Wolf ducks and grabs the left punch and shocks the mutant an in the stomach, causing him to fall to his knees, and is then knocked unconscious with a baton to the face and falls.
Red Wolf: (Walks towards the mother and little girl to offer a hand). Here.
The Mother:(She accepts the hand then watches him help up her daughter). Thank you.
Red Wolf: (He nods his head) Make a break for the police line, that way. Go!
- The mother grabs her child and sprints for the cops, Red Wolf moves on to the next civilian he sees.
- 6 men were attacking and thrashing one another in a brawl. Without warning Spoiler jumps in and swings her bow staff into one’s head and bounces it to the other’s shoulder, causing them to stumble back. The girl in purple follows up with a sweep kick, one fell to the ground unconscious. Switching attention to another mutant with a simple trachea strike making him gasp for air and fall to his knees.
- Advancing to the next thug, Spoiler power kicks him through a window. Not seeing the guy behind her grabs, her in a chokehold.
Maroni thug 1: You think you’re a big girl, come on you think you’re tough? What are you gonna do now you little bitch?! Huh?! What are you gonna do?!
- Spoiler dropped her staff, her eyes widened, and her mind begins to remember.
FLASHBACK…
Crystal: “You ungrateful little bitch. You have the perfect life!”.
Stephanie: "MY LIFE IS NOT PERFECT”! “Everything I’ve done has been meticulously and painstakingly crafted by you and Dad”. “But I’m done. I’m done hiding who I am. “
“Do you even love me or was I just some overpriced investment opportunity?” (Smack to the face)
Crystal: “I birthed you, you don’t know pain”
Arthur: "You do not make the decisions in this family; your mother and I do". "Who made your mother do this?”
END FLASHBACK…
Maroni thug 1: What are ya gonna do?! Huh?! What are you gonna do?!
- Out of nowhere a well of untapped rage exploding out, like a volcano. And she roars like never before. Using all her force she jumps up into the air with her legs high above her head while still in the chokehold and whips her feet back down to the ground as hard as she can, causing the thug to flip over her. Spoiler climbs on top, and just lets out all her fury through her fists to the man’s face.
- When she sees the knuckles of her gloves covered in the man’s facial blood, she felt confusion of where all that anger came from, she’s not the only one that noticed. Her partner and girlfriend Blue Bird saw the whole thing. But in a split second her mind shifted back to the fight when one of the two remaining criminals who was also a Maroni gangster shouted to her purple partner.
Maroni gangster 2: (After slamming a mutant's head into the brick wall) Hey get the hell off him!
- Seeing her staff on the ground and the man starting to come towards her, she left off the beaten thug, combat rolled across the ground and grabbed her weapon. Firmly placing her hands equally apart on her staff near the center. She thrusted forward to the stomach and then the nose. With an added spinning back kick forcing him back but not out. Hearing coughing from behind her.
- The guy she hit in the trachea was getting up and now Spoiler is surrounded by an enemy in front and in back. They both began to move in, Spoiler was preparing.
- Coming from what seemed like nowhere Brody showed up in his own Talon suit, shoulder checking the man in front of her into the wall, kneeing him in the stomach, then punching him in the face, which was easy due to the added strength and weighted knuckle gloves.
- And the one behind her was blasted into the store window he was in front of by Blue Birds pulse rifle. Brody walked over to Spoiler to ask.
Talon: Sorry if I’m a little late. Traffic. You good?
Spoiler: Yeah, I’m alright.
Talon: Good, because we still got work to do. (Talon ran off to protect a pair of men in business suits from a group whaling on them. Spoiler went the opposite direction to assist a few more people)
(Owl emblem on right gauntlet) (pretend the facial hair isn’t there)
- Blue Bird wanted to ask what just happened but was preoccupied with the task at hand. She blocks a wood bat from a mutant with her rifle forces it downward, spins right with a left hook knocking her opponent back into 2 others 1 other Mutant and a Maroni thug, firing 3 shots one for each of them, taking them down. Just then she is blindsided from behind, sending her forward dropping her weapon. Blue Bird turns around to see it is the leader of the Mutants Vernon Wagner.
Wagner: (Sees the rifle and picks it up). You know I’ve seen you use this on the news, it looks fun.
(He then turns it on Talon and fires, sending him flying 20 feet into the side of the car. And watching as 5 mutants begin beating on him while he is still down).
I was right, it is fun, (with a smirk he turns it to the kill setting) your turn kid. (The rifle charges ready to fire).
20 seconds earlier…
- A Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorcycle screeches to a stop. Robin and Duela get off seeing what is transpiring. Seeing Talon get blasted into a car and being beaten on, and Vernon Wagner aiming the rifle at Blue Bird
(R emblem on left side of jacket)
(Switchblade emblem stitched all the way down the right arm of the jacket)
- In her head she remembers the night she captured him then was released by the police, which made her angry.
Robin: Wagner. You get Talon, I’ll get big ugly.
Duela: Give him hell little bird. (Patting arm once and sprinted to help her teammate).
—————————
- After the Night of Owls, Cullen and Carrie both agreed to work as co-captains of the Knights.
—————————
Back to the present…
Wagner: I was right, it is fun, (with a smirk he turns it to the kill setting) your turn kid. (The rifle charges ready to fire).
- About to pull the trigger, Robin leaps on to the hood of a car and throws 2 batarangs, and lands in a kneeling position on the ground. 1 batarang slices into his shoulder, the other in the center of the back of his hand. Making him drop the rifle.
Wagner: AHH!! What the hell?! (He pulls the batarang from his shoulder and sees a yellow R painted in the center, he looks to his right). YOU!
Robin: (With a half smile) Yeah. Me.
- Being more determined than before to take him down she was not planning on going easy on him. They charged at one another. Wagner started with the smash attack, but robin slid on the ground through his legs while in the process punching him in the nuts. She turns around in the black widow pose next to Blue Birds weapon and kicked it to her.
Robin: Go!
- Blue bird grabbed her rifle, switched it back to stun and ran to back up Spoiler, full knowing Robin wanted Wagner to herself.
Robin: What’s the matter old man? Getting slow?
- Brushed off the hit he took and roared back at her with a right cross, left hook. Robin dodged the cross and ducks the hook, spinning around to his back giving him a hard kidney punch then jumped into a two-legged kick, fell to the ground and did a Kip up to her feet. It’s clear she wasn’t holding back.
- Meanwhile 5 guys were beating and wailing on Talon while he is on the ground. From behind Duela grabs a broken piece of wood and swings hard into the 1st guys back and a spinning back kick to the 2nd guy on her left knocking him away. Providing Talon, the opportunity to kick the 3rd criminals leg from under him making him fall. Then activated his arm blade and ramming it into the foot of the 4th while Duela uppercut the final attacker. She helped him up.
Duela: You alright?
Talon: I’m pissed!
Duela: Good. Then help Carrie take it out on the that guy over there. (Pointing to Vernon Wagner).
- Robin threw a side kick but Wagner caught it, pulled her in at the neck and lifted her up and choke slammed her on the hood of the car. Prying the batarang from out of his hand, he raises it to stab Robin. Then with another stroke of perfect timing, Talon swoops in blindsiding Wagner in the face.
Robin: Nice timing.
Talon: I try.
- They stand side by side against the leader of the mutant gang ready for a fight. Just then the last of the civilians were cleared from the conflict.
Talon: (Pointing at Vernon he speaks). You mess with Robin you get the Talon.
Wagner: (With a look of exhaustion). Kid. Seriously?
Talon: What? (looking over at him then Robin shaking her head no). I just… ah forget it.
- Talon rushes forward into a Superman punch then bends down for Robin to roll over his back with a cartwheel kick to the side of Wagners neck forcing him back then getting a surprise slice to his right leg from Talon’s sword
Red wolf: (Speaking into his ear peace). Apone! All the people are clear move in now!
Captain Apone: Copy that, all units converge. All units converge!
- Moving in unison like they could read each other's minds Talon and Robin were give the mutant leader a run for his money. With 2 on 1 Wagner couldn’t land a blow, even though he tried. Talon block both punches and countered with a double fist punch forcing him back even more. Robin moves in for one final attack (the Black widow signature). After that Vernon Wagner was flat on his back
Talon: (With shock and an impressed look on his face). Wow, that’s a new one.
Robin: Just something l’ve been working on, honestly, I didn’t think it would work.
- The cops were swarming in shouting GCPD GET DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW! Subduing all criminals on sight. Wagner was starting to get up but was knocked out when Duela kicked him in the face before he could.
(End song)…
——————————————————
- This is Gotham News Now. I’m here in the west side of the Narrows district where a massive riot broke out between the Mutant gang and Maroni crime family, it would’ve been a much bigger disaster had not been for the actions of the partnership between the Gotham Knights and the GCPD. The mutant leader, Vernon Wagner, was apprehended as well, hopefully this time we can keep him behind bars
Later at GCPD…
- The team and police captain were meeting on the roof for privacy, due to the fact that two of the Gotham Knights identities were not public (Spoiler and Robin).
Brody: So, do I have to guess how the riot started or is this just another deal gone wrong between criminal's type thing again?
Apone: Normally I’d say yes, but I don’t think so this time. Street cameras show us the mutant leader was going into the Maroni restaurant. My guess for some kind of meeting. We would usually go to look at the tapes inside the restaurant, but it looks as though they’re all looped. But what started the fight was one fatality that happened, Tommy Bones, an infamous hitman and enforcer for Maroni out on parole.
Duela: I heard about him on the streets a few times. Stone cold killer he is or was.
Apone: But that’s not what makes me curious the fact that he was killed from a sniper rifle from what forensics found.
Stephanie: You're kidding?
Harper: Sounds like someone is trying to start a gang war, but who?
Apone: I might have an idea who that is. Word on the street is that there is a new player in town, trying to clear out all the competition by having them take each other out.
Cullen: I’ve heard about that. But no one has been able to ID him.
- Duela began to walk away.
Cullen: And where are you going?!
Duela: To get some info and I know just the place. I’ll let you know if I have anything!
Brody: Don’t you want back up?
Duela: I’ll be fine. Plus, last I checked some of you start school tomorrow and one of you have a job here. I’ll let you know when I find something!
Apone: She has a point. Besides I got a lot of paperwork to do and so do you Row. Let’s head downstairs.
- The Knights started to head out to their homes but were stopped.
Carrie: Hey guys! We all need to talk.
Cullen: (Turns his head to Apone) I’ll meet you down there in a minute.
Apone: Alright. (He heads down)
- They walked back.
Cullen: What’s up?
Carrie: It’s Duela. I’m getting worried about her.
Harper: We’re all worried about Duela, because you know, she’s Duela.
Carrie: No, I mean I’m really getting worried about her. Cullen before you called us in earlier tonight, she woke up screaming.
Brody: Screaming about what?
Carrie: A nightmare about HIM. About Turner, and this isn’t the first time, she hasn’t been sleeping well for past few weeks but tonight was the first time I heard her reaction. I told her that my mom had a friend who is a therapist. But she said that she been around enough of those in Arkham.
Cullen: Did you ask what went on in her nightmare?
Carrie: I think she was about to tell me, but then we got your message.
Stephanie: You know I think out of all of us she took his death the hardest. The way I see it either you or Brody are gonna have to talk to her.
Brody and Carrie in unison: Why us?
Cullen: Because fact is that she goes from being the queen of laughs and mischief too. Well, Harper on a bad day.
Harper: What?! I’m not like that? Am I?
- The others went silent, avoided eye contact with Harper.
Stephanie: Oh, come on babe. Your seriousness is one of your hottest qualities. And as for your guy's question. Carrie, you’re her best friend and Brody you and her have kind of become like brother and sister. Besides even though Brody and I knew Turner longer, out of all of us, I can see she was the most affected.
Cullen: And here I thought the sibling positions were already filled on this team. (Chuckled). But I’m with Steph on this, out of all of us, the two of you are the ones she’ll listen to the most.
Harper: Hey, we all agreed to give her space. But despite the rude comment (glaring at her brother). She hasn’t been the same since, she doesn’t even take cracks at any of us. Plus, when we all just go to hang out and do regular stuff, she blows us off even if there are booze involved. Saying she was handling a robbery even though I’m pretty sure the cops here are capable doing their job, sometimes.
Brody: Guys, grief doesn’t exactly happen an expiration date. I mean, look at Bruce. And besides I don’t think either of us know what to say to her right now, but how about we figure it out tomorrow.
Stephenie: Hopefully it goes well. But Duela did have a point we all got school tomorrow and Cullen you’ve got a job downstairs. We should probably worry about that for now.
—————————
- 2 Months after the Night of Owls Cullen turned 18 and decided to work with Apone and the cops full time.
—————————
- Stephenie and Harper headed back to their apartment and Cullen went to his own desk. Leaving Brody and Carrie alone on the roof. They both lean over the edge of the roof pondering their thoughts, looking at the view of the city.
Carrie: You know I have got multiple conversations running through my head on how one of us is going to talk to her.
Brody: You mean how I’m going to talk to her?
Carrie: You?
Brody: Yeah me. 3 reasons being why it should be me. 1 being you live with her, 2 I’m betting there’s no conversation going through my head that doesn’t end with her yelling at you and 3, she’ll have a much harder time killing me afterwards. Plus, I think you should be happy right now.
Carrie: About what?
Brody: Well, you took down the mutant leader. Again.
Carrie: I had a little help.
Brody: True there’s no way you could’ve done it without me (chuckling). But I’m glad I could help you put a nearly 7-foot-tall Jackass in a cage, that should give you more than a reason to smile. Like right now.
Carrie: (Making her blush) Ha. How is it that you’re an only child and yet you know how to act like an older brother?
Brody: Well, when you lose the psycho parents that raised you and don’t really care that they got what they deserved. You tend to focus on looking out for the family you have afterwards. That’s you and the others, plus I always wanted a sister and now I’ve got Duela for that.
Carrie: Thank you. (She put her hand on top of his and smiles)
Brody: Anytime. (With a smile)
- Our 2 birds stared into one another’s eyes for at least 3 Mississippi's. Then broke the silence and pulled their hands apart.
Brody: Ah, we should probably go home and crash for the night.
Carrie: Ah yeah, yeah. I’ll see you at school later. (Still blushing. Brushing some hair from her eyes, putting her goggles back on and grappling away and Brody went to back to the belfry).
Back in the Narrows…
- Stephanie and Harper were driving back to their place and there was a quiet in the car which they didn’t mind with at the crazy they deal with. They park and remember the drill.
Harper: Now babe remember.
Stephenie: I know I know, go up the fire escape to the apartment.
—————————
- Harper and Cullen go in and out of the apartment building with their suits on without any fuss. Their building manager knocks a chunk off there monthly rent in exchange for protection. But like previously stated Stephanie's alter ego isn’t public.
—————————
Building manager Benny: Evening Harper! (Speaking as she walks by). Stephanie’s got another one for her just so you know (an envelope).
Harper: Evening Benny. Again?
Benny: What was it this time? Hostage crisis, bank robbery?
Harper: Gang riot actually.
Benny: Well hopefully it wasn’t too bad.
Harper: On a scale of 1 to 10 I give it a 6, have a good night, Benny.
Benny: You are too!
- Harper walked in to see Stephanie unzipped her jacket and can’t help but look at her gloves on the counter.
Stephanie: Hey.
Harper: Hey.
Stephanie: I was going to take a quick shower before I go back to bed. (With a smirk on her face) Maybe you could join me.
- Making Harper blush.
Harper: Sure but 2 things first. 1 you got another letter from your dad.
Stephanie: (She grabs it with slight annoyance) You know for the so-called master of clues, he really can’t get THE clue that I don’t want to talk to him, especially since I haven’t responded once since he went to jail. Wait you said 2 things, what’s the other?
Harper: I think we should talk about what happened earlier tonight during the riot.
Stephanie: What exactly happened at the riot?
Harper: Ahh the guy you beat to a pulp, it kind of looked like you lost it for a minute.
Stephanie: Oh that, it was just adrenaline and the heat of the moment. But promise I’m ok.
Harper: Are you sure? Because the blood on your gloves kind of tell a different story.
- Stephanie walked forward and took her hand.
Stephanie: Harper, if something was bothering me you would be the first person I’d tell. Ok?
Harper: (With a sigh of relief) Ok, it’s just I worry about you sometimes not just as your girlfriend, but as your partner.
Stephanie: I know and that’s one of the things I love about you. (She moves in and kisses her girlfriend) Now. Very quick but important question, do you want to take off that suit for a shower or do you want me to take it off you myself.
- Harper then got a goofy grin on her face and pulled her blonde-haired girlfriend into the bathroom.
Meanwhile in the Kubrick district…
- A man in the shadows sits at a desk. Then a thug in a black suit and a sniper rifle case walks in the door.
Mystery man: Is it done, Gunther?
Gunther: Yes boss, Tommy Bones is dead, and the riot broke out.
Mystery man: I get the feeling there is a but coming.
Gunther: But there were some complications.
- Mystery man turned around out of the dark revealing it to be Harvey aka Two-Face.
Two-Face: The Knights. Hmm, I ask you to do one simple thing. Start a gang war that starts to clear the board and all I got was one little riot. I’m very disappointed in you my friend. Was she there?
Gunther: Yes sir.
- Two face whistles. And a pair of guards walk in and force Gunther to his knees while holding his arms
Gunther: Boss please. I can fix this I just need a little more time to get things rolling. Please just give me a chance!
Two-Face:(He snaps his fingers) That’s exactly what I intend to do. A 50 50 chance in fact. (He pulls out his coin). This way you can’t say it’s not fair. So, heads I keep you around, tales, you are unemployed, permanently. (The coin is flipped into the air while a gun is pointed at Gunther’s face. and it lands). Heads! Congratulations Gunther you got yourself another chance, get this man on his feet. But just remember next time you probably won’t be so lucky. (He pats him on the shoulder and sits back down). What are standing around for? Go! I need to plan my next move.
Unknown voice: Maybe I can help with that.
- Two-Face points his gun at the man in the shadows.
Two-Face: Who the hell are you?
Unknown Voice: Only a friend with a business proposition. You want this city? I can help you get it. If you will allow me to explain?
- Two-Face was hesitant but was genuinely curious as to what his guest had to say and accepted.
In the South sprang district…
- Our semi unstable Knight was walking to where all underground info is tossed around, the 1 Stop, owned by Carmine Falcone (the Godfather of Gotham)
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK…
- The slit for the door opens.
Bouncer: Password.
Duela: The White Rose Blooms.
- The door opens and Duela enters. As she walks through the underground casino/bar/club, all eyes turn to her as she passes by.
- In the back of the 1 Stop, she comes to the VIP lounge with a rope one very large body guard standing in front over 6 feet tall.
Duela: I need to talk with your boss Falcone.
Guard: No entry without an invite.
Duela: Ohhhh yeah, how could I forget get (pretending to reach in her pocket, but winds up kicking him in the nuts, causing him to fall in pain), there’s my invitation (with a smile, she enters to find a private poker room with all of the biggest crime bosses in the city Fish Mooney, Nikolai of the Russian mob, Lilian McKellen, Salvatore Maroni and the godfather himself Carmine Falcone).
Duela: (Sarcastically, with her arms crossed and a smirk) So is this a private game or can anyone join in!
Falcone: Duela Doe, or is it Dent?
Duela: Doe.
Maroni: How the hell did you? HEY, aren’t we supposed to have someone at the door!!
Duela: Oh, don’t worry your pet ape is out there, he’s just trying to walk off the kick in the nuts I gave him. This seat taken.
- She put wad of cash that she took from the Maroni restaurant she grabbed in the chaos of the riot.
Back at the belfry…
—————————
- The belfry had been given a major upgrade when the team decided to stay together. Brody stayed in the other room next to the main one.
—————————
- The 1st level of the main room one corner had a desk and workbench that held 4 monitors, similar what Bruce had in the bat cave, 3 in a row and 1 on top of the middle, running facial recognition, monitoring police radios, security cameras feeds at black gate prison and Arkham. And a secret compartment that holds Batman’s journal locked with a key.
- The 2nd was a planning/navigation area for missions, in the center, a large rectangular table built like a tablet connected to the monitors and a couple of chairs around it.
- The 3rd corner was a a small weight area, bench press, dumbbells and a heavy bag for training.
- In front of the stairs an L shaped couch, in front of it is just a coffee table and up against the railing to the upstairs is a flat screen.
- And the second level of the belfry is Cullens own art space.
- Emergency knives and guns hidden in multiple places in case of an attack.
- Brody came up the stairs, undid his jacket and sets his mask and sword on a new couch he bought with leftover money he got from the safe in his old house after his mom died and his father went to the Slab Side Federal Penitentiary after managing to save him from the poisoned electrum in his system. He grabs a beer from a mini fridge in his room and plops down on the couch.
Brody: Ahhh. (He opens the beer, drinks and looks at a picture catches his eye, he picks it up). Wish you were here with us man.
- The Photo was of the whole team before everything happened, Brody had been edited in. His eyes shifted over to Duela in the photo, then what Harper said echoes in his mind. “We’re all worried about Duela. Because you know, she’s Duela.” “She’s Duela” “She’s Duela” “She’s Duela”.
Brody: Duela you better not be doing anything too stupid. (He walks over to the monitors to find her position, fully knowing how thanks to Stephanie giving him a few computer lessons just in case). Come on come on come on. (A few clicks of the keyboard) Gotcha. (His eyes widened) Ah crap. (He runs out the door grabbing his mask and sword)
Falcone: (He gestured with his hand to have a seat). Have a seat. Deal her in!
- She sits and get a deck of cards.
Falcone: So, tell me young lady, what brings the most infamous girl in Gotham since Catwoman to this fine establishment?
Duela: Oh, you know, win a few games, earn some cash, maybe swipe a bottle from behind the bar that type of stuff. And maybe get some info. Hey visor boy. Hit me (she taps the table 4 times).
- The dealer gives her 2 more cards.
Niko: What type of information are you referring too?
Duela: About somebody new in Gotham. I’m sure you all heard about the riot in the Narrows earlier tonight between the mutants and your boys Mr. Maroni. Not exactly smart since a few friends of mine live around there.
Maroni: I had nothing to do that.
Duela: Oh, I’m sure (wink), but I thought you should know your boy Tommy Bones was killed by a sniper shot. Which is what started the whole thing. And this new player he’s looking to get rid of all of you by having you all get rid of each other, you know, hunger games style.
- Just then Lillian's son Dylan McKellen walks in.
Duela: Well, I’ll be damned Dylan freaking McKellen. (Smiling) How’s your face been since you got knocked out?
Dylan: Son of a bitch (he pulls out his gun and pointed right at Duela).
- She faces her cards down and puts her hands up.
Duela: Hey hey, easy Dylan boy just here to play some cards and get some info.
Lillian: Dylan! Put that gun away before you embarrass yourself and me in front of my friends.
Dylan: But mom, she’s…
Lilian: I know, but the last thing any of us here needs is heat. And I’m pretty sure a dead Knight turns a lot of heads. Now put the gun away and go get yourself another drink.
- Dylan puts his gun back into his jacket and Duela puts her hands back on the table.
Duela: Add a boy. (She then makes a Click click sound)
- Dylan leaves.
Fish: Hmm, Girls got some Grit (she smiles), I like her.
Maroni: Too bad grit couldn’t help Turner Hayes last year.
- I silence filled the room. Even though the crime bosses didn’t know Turner personally, anyone could tell it’s a touchy subject for any of the Knights. Duela chuckles, reaches out to her, right, grabs the back of Maroni’s head and slams his face on the table breaking his nose, causing a lot of blood to come out. Della winds up for a second punch, but the big bodyguard from before grabs her arm and stops her.
Duela: (She points and speaks in a hostile tone at Maroni) You talk about him like that again. And I’ll show you grit.
Falcone: (Maroni looks at him and he responds) What are you looking at us for? You said it.
- Maroni pulls out his own peace
Lillian: Here we go.
60 seconds earlier…
- Brody pulled up to the a stop on an Iron Guerrilla Harley Davidson sportster that he stole a few months back during a brawl at a biker bar with Harper and Carrie during a case. He sees a sever walk out the back entrance to take it out the trash and sees his way in. Brody channels his inner brute and switch’s to full intimation mode.
—————————
- Out of the whole team, Stephanie and Brody were still the greenest, so Carrie offered to teach them a thing or two.
—————————
- The server re-enters the building entrance but hears footsteps behind him.
Server: (He turns around to speak) Hey buddy this is the staff entrance on….ly.
Talon: (He lowers his voice to a deeper register and a serious look on his face) MOVE.
Server: (He puts his hands up and steps to the side) Bosses VIP lounge is down the hall to the right.
Talon: Thank you.
- A handful of citizens in Gotham are still afraid of the Talon name back from when the Court was still in power and Felix Harmon was their enforcer. Brody actually preferred it this way, because most people around think rich kids, current and former are all show and no go. But people take his Talon personae as nothing but go.
- Talon takes out his sword and slowly peaked through the door that connected the kitchen and VIP Lounge and ducked whine some curtains to see what is going on.
Fish: Hmm, Girls got some Grit (she smiles), I like her.
Maroni: Too bad grit couldn’t help Turner Hayes last year.
Talon: (He whispers to himself) Poor guy.
- I silence filled the room. Even though the crime bosses didn’t know Turner personally, but anyone could tell it’s a touchy subject for any of the Knights. Duela chuckles, reaches out to her, right, grabs the back of Maroni’s head and slams his face on the table breaking his nose, causing a lot of blood to come out. Della winds up for a second punch, but the big bodyguard from before grabs her arm and stops her.
Duela: (She points and speaks in a hostile tone at Maroni) You talk about him like that again. And I’ll show you grit.
Falcone: (Maroni looks at him and he responds) What are you looking at us for? You said it.
- Maroni pulls out his own peace and points it right between her eyes.
Lillian: Here we go.
Maroni: You have got a big mouth on you bitch!
- Then a blade is held to his throat
Talon: What else is new? Now drop the gun. Or I drop you. (Making Duela Smile).
Maroni: Your bluffing, even if you weren’t my men would find you and make sure you die slow, and extremely painful death, bird boy.
Talon: My parents were Rebecca and Lincoln March; I killed my own mother because she was going to shoot my friends and sent my dad to a Federal prison for life. You think I’ll have a problem taking care of you? NOW DROP THE GUN. And besides I bounce back real fast from punishment.
Duela: He’s not kidding.
Falcone: Enough! We’re all adults here. Let’s act like it. So let’s try this. Salvatore, you will put you gun away, shake her hand and apologize to her, Mr. March, you will put your sword back in its holster and you will release Ms. Doe and get this man some paper towels for his blood.
Maroni: Carmine, are you serious?
Falcone: I am. And from the looks of things that young man standing to your left is as well. And the fact is the dead, no matter who they are deserve respect at least.
- Maroni lowered his weapon back into its holster, as did Brody and the bodyguard released his grip from Duela.
Maroni: I am sorry for speaking about your friend like that, from what I’ve heard, he was actually a decent kid and didn’t deserve what happened to him. (While shaking her hand).
Duela: Thanks, sorry about your nose.
Falcone: You see, was that so hard?
Talon: (He put his hand on her shoulder and spoke) Come on. It’s time to go.
- They began to walk out, Falcone nodded to Fish Mooney to give them the info. They stopped when they heard the name.
Fish: Two-Face!
Duela: What?
Fish: The man you’re looking for goes by the handle of Two-Face, reason being is that half his face is covered in burns and flips a coin to decide whether or not someone lives or dies. Aside from that no one knows who is or where he came from.
Duela: Thank you. Wait! I almost forgot. (She flipped her cards over) full house. (And grabs a few stacks of cash from the center of the table with a smile). This was fun. We should do this again sometime.
- The two walked back to Brody ‘s bike
Duela: Well, that was a little nerve-racking, and Brody your timing was just perfect. Brody? Brody?!
- He didn’t say anything other than “Get on”, with a serious look on his face. She did as he asked. And rode towards the Belfrey without a word for the rest of the trip.
- They walk in the entrance and Duela tries to break the tension with a slight joke.
Duela: Well, I guess they don’t make criminal hideouts like they used to right?
- He remained silent as he removed his gear and jacket
Duela: Brody come on. Say something, please. Look I’m sorry for not telling you where I was going, ok?
Brody: (He turns and walks towards her) Are you ok?
Duela: Yeah.
Brody: Are you hurt?
Duela: No.
Brody: (He then punches her in the arm somewhat hard) How about now?
Duela: Ow, what the hell?
Brody: What the goddamn hell were you thinking?
Duela: I was getting info for the team.
Brody: At the 1 Stop? Crime Boss central. You know Duela I knew you were little crazy, but I didn’t think you could do something that stupid.
Duela: Excuse me. For the record I had it handled.
Brody: (He puts his hands up) Oh yeah, I could totally see how being held by a giant bodyguard, and having a gun pointed at your forehead in a room full of mob bosses says handled (with air quotes). Honestly, I was hoping to have this talk tomorrow because it’s kind of been a long night but since we’re already here let’s just dive in.
Duela: What are you talking about?
Brody: You Duela, we are talking about you, and the fact that you haven’t been yourself for a while now.
(insert background music: James Arthur - Train Wreck) …
Duela: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Brody: Look I didn’t know you before THAT night, but based on how the others have told me about you, you acted way differently before then. A girl that cracked jokes whenever she could, wasn’t afraid to give people crap even though they needed to hear it! Girl that wasn’t afraid to speak her mind or the truth, regardless of how people felt
Duela: Now YOU don’t know what you’re talking about.
- The atmosphere in the room was turning hostile between the both of them. Duela walks past Brody to try and avoid eye contact.
Brody: I get that want to do right by HIM. But guess what you can’t do if your dead or by yourself, that’s why you’ve all of us! And last I checked, It was your idea to keep all this going others! (Gesturing to all the gear and equipment in the belfry around them).
- Her eyes started to become glassy and a tear came out of her eye.
Duela: Brody stop talking.
Brody: Look I’m not saying this to be an asshole, I’m saying this because you need to hear it whether you like it or not. But all of us are tired of walking on eggshells around you and maybe if you opened up a little maybe we could help you through it! Because you know, that’s kind of what family does! But your little pity party has really started to get old.
- Everything that Brody was saying had truth to it even though she didn’t want to hear it and little by little, he was chipping away at a floodgate that was about to break. She wipes the tear and moisture from her eyes and lightly hits the heavy bag.
Duela: My pity party?
Brody: Yeah!
Duela: Listen big bird you and the others say you understand exactly what I’m feeling, but you don’t! You guys get maybe!! MAYBE 1/3 of how I’m feeling but that’s all you guys get. And what the hell gives you the right to think you can just be over my shoulder when I can handle myself!!
Brody: BECAUSE I PROMISED TURNER!!
Duela: What do you mean, you promised Turner?
Brody: (He took a deep breath) Do you remember the night my mom kidnapped you and chained to that bomb?
Duela: Kinda hard to forget, but yeah.
Brody: But before we were coming to get you, Turner pulled me to the side.
FLASHBACK…
Stephanie: I vote that we trust Duela.
Cullen: Me too.
Carrie: Three.
Harper: Ok. But that still doesn’t stop all these other bombs from going off.
Turner: We just need one of them to go off, right?
- Harper nodded her head yes
Turner: Ok. Cullen get Apone on the phone right now, tell him to get whatever men he can spare to lead an evacuation around Wayne Tower.
Cullen: Way ahead of you. (Then walks away).
Turner: Stephanie, Harper you 2 are quarterbacking from here, get us any passageways you can find for us that we can use.
Harper: You got it, Steph help me over here.
Turner: Carrie, Brody, the three of us are going to Wayne Tower and we’re getting Duela all out of there.
Carrie: You guys grab our gear; I’ll bring the car out front.
- Turner on Brody strap their swords back on and grabbed Carrie‘s bat gadgets, but before they made it to the front door to meet Carrie, Turner stopped him.
Turner: Brody, before we head out there, I need to ask you something.
Brody: What is it?
Turner: Look I can’t explain it but I just have this feeling that not all of us are gonna make it out of this tonight. If you guys do all managed to and I don’t for some reason, I need you to promise me that you look out for her.
Brody: Hey, we’re gonna make it through this and…
Turner: Brody! I need you. To promise me. Just don’t tell her I told this.
Brody: Ok. I Promise.
Turner: Thank you.
- They bro hug.
Turner: Let’s go get our girl.
End Flashback…
Brody: Even from the grave he is still looking out for you and since then I’ve done everything I could to keep that promise and watch your back! We all miss Turner too, it’s why we got these marks. (Pointing to his right shoulder referring to the tattoo, everyone got). Do you honestly think you’re the only one who cared about him?!!!
- Then the flood gates gave way. Her eyes glassy again this time with a tear from both eyes going down her face
Duela: (She screams at the top of her lungs) THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT TURNER!!!
- Brody took a half step back from the reaction
Duela: I SPENT MOST OF MY CHILDHOOD LOCKED IN A NUT HOUSE WITH ORDERLIES, WITH A MOM THAT I THOUGHT LOVED ME BUT SELLS ME OUT FOR A GODDAMN PAYDAY!!! I FIND OUT MY REAL FATHER IS A DECENT GUY WHO WOULD’VE ACTUALLY PUT IN THE EFFORT TO BE THERE!!! THEN I MEET THIS ONE GUY WHO I ACTUALLY CARED ABOUT AND HE CARED ABOUT ME, AND TO HIM IT DIDN’T MATTER THE NUMBER OF TIMES A SCREWED HIM OVER OR RAN AWAY, HE JUST CAME BACK FOR ME EVERY TIME!!! AND THEY ARE GONE LIKE THAT!!! (Snapping her fingers). SO NONE OF YOU HAVE A CLUE OF WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR ME!!!
- Breathless from the shouting, her voice lowers to a softer tone and a shake, she falls to her knees. Brody knew that she was in pain, but he didn’t consider the other factors. He kneels next to her and embraces her.
Duela: I don’t know what I’m supposed to do because. I just feel so broken.
Brody: I’m so sorry. Just let it out.
- All the Pent-up emotional stress from what has happened caused her mind to shut down and sleep. Brody carried her to the couch come put a blanket over her to help her sleep. And Brody leaves to catch what little sleep he can get before sunrise.
(Song ends)
SOMEWHERE IN SWITZERLAND…
(Insert background music: Star Wars rebels S3 soundtrack: Kevin Kiner - third training session)
- 2 masked swordsmen and 1 swordswoman are in a 2 on 1 sparing match in a stone room lit by torches. The man and woman were wearing red bands on their arms while the 3rd had a white, indicating who fights who both the men were wearing the same thing, and the girl was wearing a green outfit with a mask that resembled the Cheshire cat from Allison Wonderland.
Cheshire
Sarab/Assassin
- Cheshire and Sarab fight against their opponent Sei-son-ja as a test.
- Cheshire and Sarab charge Sei-son-ja with a simultaneous slash their swords in opposite directions. Sei-son-ja blocks their attack by holding his sword right in front of him, pointing straight up, stepping forward, slipping between the both of them and throws a knife at both of them, but Sarab catches his tosses it to the side while Cheshire dodges it.
Cheshire: Oh, so that’s how you wanna play? (Cheshire drops her sword and pulls out her two Sais). Then let’s play.
- Sei-son-ja does not respond in words. Instead, he runs towards them, leaps up and slashes down separating the two, then to the right towards Cheshire. And sweep kicks Sarab, but he jumps over. And combat rolls forward to the right. Cheshire throws one of her sai’s at Sei-son-ja’s blade causing him to drop it. And throws the other one at his chest, which he catches it, copying Cheshire’s move and throws it at Sarab’s blade. Leaving them all barehanded. They engage hand to hand combat. Sarab runs right at Sei-son-ja with a right round house kick and Cheshire with a superman punch. He dodges the kick, but not the punch to the head, he stumbles back to the stonewall. Reacting to his environment, he pushes off the wall for a left hook into a spinning backhand at Cheshire, even after making contact it left him open for Sarab to trap him in a chokehold.
Sarab: Do you yield?!
- Sei-son-ja still would not speak. Instead, still being close enough to the wall he elbows Sarab in the ribs, jumps up in springs, both feet off the wall, making them both fall back into a reverse somersault to escape the hold, not seeing where Cheshire went. She kicks him from his left shoulder, sending him rolling across the floor. He is knocked to his back.
Cheshire: And here I thought everything I heard about you was true, guess it’s all just talk.
- Cheshire likes to tease her opponents to throw them off their game. Where Sarab wasn’t much of a talker.
- Just then a man long black coat, a grey turtleneck and a red scarf with blackish gray hair and a goatee walks in the door to a corner with his hands behind his back to observe what happens next.
- Sei-son-ja glances at him then back at Sarab, was already back on his feet with his sword in hand and tossing Cheshire hers. He points it at him, standing in front of him
Sarab: You have fought well and with spirit, but I will not ask again, YIELD!
Cheshire adds Normally I don’t agree with Sarab on much but on this, I do. So you gonna throw in the towel?
- Sei-son-ja eyes narrow and finally response in a soft tone.
Sei-son-ja: No. But now this ends.
- He shifts his weight to his right side, to initiate a cartwheel kick to knock his blade off-line, but not out of his hands and back into a fighter position.
- Cheshire and Sarab advance one last time, he strikes in a left upward slash and she in a downward, right. He sees his sword, sprints forward for split second and jumps into a 360 dive role past the blades and to his own to pick it up. He returns and faces them in the Spider-Man position with the sword in his right hand behind him.
- The old man behind him smirks.
- Sei-son-ja throws another knife. He has up into the air for distraction. Despite Cheshire and Sarab being professional assassins, they actually look up. Sei-son-ja Slides across the floor to front sweep kick Cheshire, making her fall and hit her head on the floor. Grabs Sarab by the wrist, cuts the inside of his forearm, flips him, but he manages to stick the landing in a kneeling position. But failed to realize his own sword was gone and in Sei-son-ja’s other hand. With that he steps on Cheshire throat, makes an X with the two swords in his hands and holds them to Sarab’s throat.
Sei-son-ja: (He leans forward) Say it!
Sarab: I yield.
- Looking down at Cheshire, she speaks as best she can with a boot on her throat
Cheshire: Ok, ok you win, now can you get your damn boot off my throat?
(End song)
- Sei-son-ja removes his boot from Cheshire ‘s throat and gives Sarab back his sword and helps her up.
- The old man applauds the display he witnessed.
Ra’s al Ghal aka Henri Ducard: Quite the performance. Quite the performance, indeed. Cheshire, Sarab that will be all for today, go and dress your wounds.
- They place their hand over their heart’s, bow and leave. Xing-cun-zhe sheaths his sword to his back.
Ra’s al Ghal: (He paces around his student) I would be lying. If I said I wasn’t impressed with the progress you’ve made in the past eight months since you’ve arrived, but you have excelled in your training faster than any student I’ve had in the past. Not all that surprising given your heritage. Suffice it to say you are one of my best pupils next to my daughters and inner circle of course. Sei-son-ja , the Survivor. A fitting name given how you adapt.
Sei-son-ja: (He removes his mask and hood revealing it to be Turner Hayes who has a new scar from the right side of his neck to the middle of his right cheek) It’s thanks to your training. I am who I am now so what’s my next lesson? Lord Ra’s al Ghal.