Six → Non ci sono più sogni. Non c’è più la poesia. Mi perdo nel pensiero tra la noia e la follia...

[beyondthecowl]

Batman: "You should work on your stealth skills. I heard you coming halfway across the roof."
Nightwing: "Good to see you, too."
- "Animal Act", The New Batman Adventures

Comments

E. (When is this guy *ever* antagonistic?)

[puzzlerprince]

[Answer: Definitely not when he's still droned. Now, here's another question: What is a cheery, chipper, droned Edward Nigma doing here at Makeout Point? Well, it looks like he's taken quite a liking to your car, Bats, so he decided to tail you and ask about it. And once you step out of the car, he steps out as well, on his way to greet you.]

That's a mighty fine chariot you've got there, stranger. Still can't say the same about those wacky threads.

I know--I KNOW--you did not just go there Mister ;p

[beyondthecowl]

[It's ironic that whenever the Bat wants to be alone, people always come and bother him. Although, he's starting to accept that he'll never truly be alone here.

He sighs exasperatedly and glares at Edward.]

Not tonight, Nigma. What do you want now?

[puzzlerprince]

[That glare just bounces right off Drone!Eddie, who laughs jovially.]

Don't have a cow, Daddy-O. Just wanted to get a closer look at your hot rod, that's all. My son sure seemed crazy about it the last time you were in my neighborhood.

[beyondthecowl]

[And his scowl just deepens.]

All right, you've gotten your "closer look". It's time to go home now.

[He's totally grabbing Drone!Eddie by the shoulders and spinning him around, pushing him towards the trail leading up the mountain. He's gathered that there's obviously something wrong with Eddie; but right now, he doesn't give half a damn to try to find out what it is--not that he'd get a straight answer anyway.]

[puzzlerprince]

[Drone!Eddie definitely objects to being shoved around, shrugging off Batman's hands and glaring at him.]

What's the big idea? Didn't your parents ever teach you any manners?

[trollface.jpg.]

oh dear God I feel awful I do [1/2]

[beyondthecowl]

[Treading on some very thin ice here, Eddiekins.]

The big idea is that it's time for you to leave.

[It takes a minute for that "parent" comment to hit him. And when it does, the resulting reaction is not pretty . . . ]

[2/2] I guess this is payback for Eddie beating the shit out of Bats in the death meme

[beyondthecowl]

[The Bat's expression changes to something dark and sinister. You know, the one that signifies that you're in some deep, deep shit, and you'd better have your insurance company on speed dial because you've got a one-way ticket to the hospital.]

What did you just say?! [His voice starts off in a low growl and slowly starts to rise in pitch. He's grabbing Eddie by the collar and lifting him up off the ground, shaking him hard.]

How dare you?! How dare you?!? You have no right!! People like you are the reason my parents are dead!!!!

[Restraint? It's pretty much out the window now. He pulls back and swings at Eddie, and somewhere in the back of his mind, he notes how satisfying it is to feel his knuckles connect with Edward's jaw.

And he keeps going, delivering blow after blow after blow, until something snaps in his head and he realizes that, for once, he attacked offensively--something he rarely does

[1/2] Looks like we're even now :P

[puzzlerprince]

[You know what really sucks? Just before that first swing, just before Batman's fist meets his jaw, that weird haze in Eddie's eyes disappears completely. He's not a drone anymore. But before he can even ask where he is or what's going on, the Caped Crusader begins to beat the ever-loving tar out of him. He'll struggle a little bit, try to get the hell away, but he's pretty much Batman's punching bag until he decides to stop.

When the Dark Knight does stop, Edward practically falls on his back. He tentatively places a hand over his bruised face, seething in pain. Though he can't see it right now, he's got a shiner around his left eye.]

[2/2]

[puzzlerprince]

[After taking a moment to compose himself, the Riddler---wheezing and groaning---pushes himself up to his feet. Glares at him fiercely.]

What... the hell... was that for? Is that how you get your kicks now, Batman? Dragging me out to the middle of nowhere so I can be your happy-go-lucky punching bag? Did you really miss me that much?

[He'll spit out a bloody tooth from the back of his mouth, wiping his lips on his sleeve.]

You goddamn lunatic. [Like he's one to talk.]

[1/2]

[beyondthecowl]

[Still gasping for air and trying to calm the hell down.]

Shut up. Dammit, just shut up!

[Still using that menacing growl. Might be a good idea to do as he says for the time being, unless you're up for Round Two, Eddiekins.]

[2/2]

[beyondthecowl]

[Batman thinks he's composed enough now not to start throwing punches again.]

I didn't bring you up here. You brought yourself. Do you have any recollection of what happened before . . . well, you know.

[Before Batman started beating the crap out of you, Eddiekins.]

[puzzlerprince]

[Massaging his jaw.]

No. I wasn't able to recall a thing the last time I'd been droned, either. And even if I could, I imagine that the throbbing pain in my head would make things rather difficult. Wouldn't you agree?

[He pauses.]

What day is it?

[beyondthecowl]

[Ignoring that smartass rhetorical question.]

Thursday.

[He pauses for a minute, to steel his nerves for what he's about to say. He knows it won't be accepted well, at all--in fact, he's totally prepared for one of Edward's temper tantrums.

But he'll say it anyway, because he tries--he tries--to own up to his actions. That's part of integrity, is it not?

Or, on the other hand, maybe Dick being gone has affected him to the point where he's willing to say things he normally wouldn't.]

Look. I'm sorry. I lost my temper, and I shouldn't have. I can't undo what I've done, but I just--I just thought you should know that.

[He'd offer to bandage Edward up or give him a ride back into town, but he's pretty damn sure Edward is going to stay the hell away from him for a long, long time.]

[puzzlerprince]

[...well, this is a first. Batman apologizing to him? Unfortunately for you, Bats, the apology makes Edward more skeptical than anything else. So much for being the bigger man when your archenemy admits he's wrong.]

Because you've always been so good about keeping that anger of yours in check. [This coming from Edward Nigma, the Master of Self-Control. A cursory glance at his surroundings and he's able to spot the Riddler-Mobile, parked just next to the Batmobile.]

I suppose I'll leave you to brood, then. Don't have too much fun without me.

[beyondthecowl]

[Batman had to admit, that's a lot less harsh than what he was expecting. Still, he knows he's in no mood to deal with prodding and teasing at the moment.]

Nigma, if you know what's good for you, then you'll leave. Right now. I don't want to see you again for a long, long time. Am I clear?

Have a good night.

[The Bat just wraps his cape around himself and slowly blends into the darkness.]

[puzzlerprince]

[Yet another disappearing act, hmm? Typical. Wishing him well, though? Not so typical.

Question: What's got Batman so bothered?]

You don't have to tell me twice.

[Eddie scoffs bitterly. Even if he can't see Batman there, he'll be damned if he allows the Dark Knight to have the last word.

With his hands in his pockets, he'll be heading back to the Riddler-Mobile. And once the car's started up, he'll be heading back home.]