Epilogue

[beware_my_power]

Hal flies over Gotham invisibly, using the ring to cloak his movements - with the destination he has in mind, it wouldn't be a good idea to be seen. There's a particular entrance available for visiting Justice Leaguers - well-hidden and very secure, but programmed to recognize certain guests

Comments

Minutes later

[eddie_nygma]

Though the hour is inappropriate for conventional guests - the Riddler has come to Wayne Manor straight from the Gotham Airport, and he rings the gate's buzzer with insistence.

Henchwoman Query waits in the car, entirely baffled by the sudden trip.

[aflyinggrayson]

"May I be of assistance?" queries a very proper English voice. Alfred, of course.

[eddie_nygma]

"Edward Nygma to see the man of the house - Mr. Richard Grayson, I believe."

The Riddler grins - the anticipation of unraveling the puzzle of Batman's demise - it's almost too much to bear.

[aflyinggrayson]

"The man of the house, Mr. Nygma, is Mr. Wayne, and he is away at present."

[eddie_nygma]

The reply is dry.

"Away is putting it mildly, from what I hear. Is Grayson at home, or is he out moonlighting in spandex and kevlar?"

[aflyinggrayson]

Several seconds pass, then another voice speaks.

In person, on the other side of the gate, in shadows. "What in hell do you want?"

[eddie_nygma]

"I want the facts. Selina's convinced he's gone, but I'm not. I need to know what happened before I can analyze it."

Lest he sounds like he's desperate, he adds :

"I can help you."

[aflyinggrayson]

"Why?" The voice is closer now, near the other side of the gate, and it has a definite Batman growl to it.

[eddie_nygma]

"Why do mountaineers climb Everest? Because it's there. Solving the mystery of the missing Batman would cement my intellectual superiority for all time."

Nygma smiles a little.

"And I can hardly prove myself his intellectual superior until he's found, can I?"

[aflyinggrayson]

"Nygma," Dick snarls, "if I let Alfred open the gates and let you inside, I'm going to beat the holy hell out of you. Why? Solve that riddle first."

[eddie_nygma]

"Easy. Because you're grieving, and hurt - I guess you have less faith in him than I do."

That might've been the line, there.

[aflyinggrayson]

"No. Because you don't give a shit about anything other than trying to prove your IQ is bigger, and that makes you a selfish, egotistical prick."

But then the door - not the gate, but the wrought iron door near the gate - unlocks and swings open. "Car stays here."

[eddie_nygma]

"Agreed. And, Touché."

He signals Query to wait, and steps inside as she shuts off the engine.

"Don't worry, I've told her nothing."

[aflyinggrayson]

For all his bravado, Dick's movements toward the manor are slow. Man's not feeling good. Hands in the pockets of his sweatpants, the hood of his GOTHAM U sweatshirt over his head, he mutters, "I still might beat the holy hell out of you. What did Selina tell you?"

[eddie_nygma]

"She was loyally vague - I think she's still not quite convinced that I know about the double identity. I finally coaxed it out of her that there was a Justice League mission, and that Lex Luthor was somehow responsible for his.. incapacity."

The threat doesn't seem to faze him - he's had quite a few beatings in his years as a Gotham criminal, and a few bruises and scrapes might be a small price to pay for a mystery like this.

[aflyinggrayson]

Dick, on the other hand, has heard the whole story about how Nygma discovered Bruce's identity and has no doubts of its validity. He has since then kept a wary, watchful eye on the man, since that secret is something that could ruin a lot of things for a lot of people, Dick included. "Begs the question what in hell you think you can do about it. You're a smart guy, I'll give you that, but you're not Luthor."