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

[eddie_nygma]

This is the first time the Riddler has been in Wayne Manor as an invited guest - the feeling is an odd one. As he steps inside, he locates the coat rack, and hangs up his hat and question-mark walking stick.

"Lead the way."

[aflyinggrayson]

Where Nygma is lead is the living room. The thing is spacious and opulent and annoyingly formal. Lots of things older than the manor - and the country, for that matter - are tucked here and there for display. A painting of a man and woman is over the fireplace: Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Dick plops unceremoniously onto the plush sofa. He doesn't put his feet on the coffee table, which looks like it costs as much as his Ducati, but he does stick his legs out pretty far. Boy took a beating last night, to be sure. He gestures toward the other end of the sofa, then at the coffee table, where refreshments have been placed, saying, "Don't make yourself at home, but you know, sit down and get something to eat or drink if you want."

[eddie_nygma]

"Most appreciated. I have to say, this is a novel experience for me."

He takes a seat, then begins to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Where do you want to begin?"

[aflyinggrayson]

"I can tell you what I know," answers Dick as he hauls himself to a sitting position long enough to get a glass of milk and a few finger sandwiches from the refreshments. And a plate and napkin too, because Alfred will notice. Yes, he will. "And I can tell you what Lex told me when I went to see him. Not very much in either case." He sounds bitter about it, too. "But before we get started...this stays between us. Got that?"

[eddie_nygma]

"Absolutely. Selina knows I'm interested in what happened, but I will tell no one else what I'm looking into. I know exactly what could happen in this city if word got out."

[aflyinggrayson]

"Not even Selina, Nygma. I don't want her doing anything reckless. You..." He runs fingers through his hair, muttering, "None of you ever really accepted how much she loves Bruce. The more she knows, the more danger she's in."

Dick guzzles his milk, wipes his mouth, and sits back, munching on a sandwich for a moment. After applying the napkin again, he continues, "How much do you know about the Phantom Stranger?"

[eddie_nygma]

"Agreed, she won't know any more than she already does. I have few friends, and I have a vested interest in keeping her alive."

The name causes his eyebrow to raise.

"Very little. Snappy dresser, occasional associate of the Justice League. Some sort of mystical powers, I understand."

[aflyinggrayson]

Smirking, Dick replies, "Mystical powers? Yeah. Think of him as the magical version of Superman. That level of strength. Well, Lex managed to imprison the Stranger and harness his power. Guess why."

[eddie_nygma]

"Knowing what I know about our esteemed ex-President, I'd wager it had something to do with destroying Superman. But with an imprisoned mystical engine, it could be most anything."

[aflyinggrayson]

"Messing up Big Blue is always Lex's top priority. Well, the Justice League finally tracked him down, a fight followed, and Luthor, true to form, was going to expel every bit of energy he'd stored up to obliterate Supes. Guess who got in the way...deliberately."

[eddie_nygma]

Both eyebrows go up.

"Well, I shouldn't be surprised. He'd have to be brave to go out and fight the maniacs in this town every night. So we have a mysterious energy discharge. Now, I know it's distasteful - but was there a body?"

[aflyinggrayson]

Brave? Suicidal. Dick's mouth twists again, but he says nothing, chewing on the rest of his food instead. The answer to Nygma's question is a shake of the head.

[eddie_nygma]

"I suspected not, else you wouldn't have bothered with the European ski-trip subterfuge. There's sufficient evidence to doubt that he is dead. Excellent. What inquiries have you made thus far?"

[aflyinggrayson]

"What was left was his cowl and cape...no idea why. Justice League brains are studying them now. But you're right about one thing: there's a lot of reason to think he's still alive out there somewhere. Luthor was no help. The Phantom Stranger doesn't know what might have happened, either."

Dick massages his sore jawline, thoughtful, as he pours more coffee for Nygma and more milk for himself. That's...something, isn't it? Being host-like to the guy? "I don't think Lex knows what happened. At first we all thought he was vaporized, but Blue Beetle says that's probably not the case. Some weird temporal disruption, maybe...alternate time stream, time shift, something like that."

[eddie_nygma]

He sips the coffee thoughtfully.

"Scientific and mystic analysis of the evidence, I would hope. and the scene of the 'crime', if possible. Nothing else, no other avenues of pursuit?"

[aflyinggrayson]

"One," Dick answers tersely, "yes. But hey, you tell me...the guy you think of as your father gets vaporized in front of his friends and you think he's not dead...where do YOU go, Lost and Found? Missing Persons?"