No, not him. He was a hero to a lot of people. Including me. A stop-at-nothing guy who solved everything with his fists. I admired him at first, what he did... Or was trying to do. But eventually, I had to walk away.
Nothing resembles itself tonight. This dirty room is a church. I appear the villain, but in truth, I am the savior. You... you pose as the innocent, but deep inside... you know you're fecund and damned. You have the skin of a lamb. The sheath by which he will penetrate this world and seed its destruction. But alas, you are the doorway he would walk through upright to put out our sun, and I... cannot allow that to happen. I have to save us all.
Let's just hope to hell he's just passing through. You know the problems that these masks bring with 'em. Painted freaks. Psychopaths in drag. Oh, we don't need that shit. We got enough of our own regular problems here.
According to those files, the man who came after you may have been part of some doomsday cult. They apparently believe it's their destiny to prevent the end of the world. Does that mean anything to you?
We have been. But "fine" might not be enough to shut this gun op down. The three of us are unstoppable. We could go out on the win you want. And then you can heal, get better. We can get better.
Taking her in. I mean, I know how healing it must be, doing what Bruce did for you when you lost your parents. But taking care of a kid is complicated, you know that better than anyone.
I'm not taking her in. I'm not good at the staying with people part. I don't have to tell you that. Look, I know things are tight around here, so I thought Alfred could give me some money, maybe help out a bit, help out Rachel at the same time. Two birds with one stone. Well, three, I guess.
[suprised to find someone in her apartment crying] What the fuck? [approaching her] Hey, you okay? What's your name?
NSNuclear Sis
[stopping the act, she stands up and turns around, revealing a pair of scissors in hand] I don't have a name. Where's your partner? [as she slices Amy's hand, her brother then kneecaps her with a baseball bat] Tell us.
NBNuclear Biff
Where is Dick Grayson?
NSNuclear Sis
Where's Dick Grayson? Tell us where he is.
NBNuclear Biff
Where is he?
[Sis stabs her in the back, and Biff prevents her from reaching her gun]
NDNuclear Dad
[coming in] You sneaky kids. Didn't save any fun for us.
NMNuclear Mom
We can still have some fun, dear. [drawing a knife from its block] Can't we?
I know I feel danger. And I can't let her out of my sight. I just don't know why. [showing her the key from her purse] Hey, this doesn't mean anything to you, does it?
SCSister Catherine
Oh, of course. It's from Scooter's Roller Palace just down the road. It's a lively place. The young people quite like it. Hmm. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
I'm making omelets. It seems I may have over-shopped. One less?
NMNuclear Mom
We failed.
ADr. Adamson
Clearly. This being who took her from you is unique. We have only recently become aware of her. Granted she is formidable, but she is no Rachel. We built you better than this. [picking up what looks like a detonator] Any last words?
NSNuclear Sis
What's so important about this Roth girl, anyway?
NMNuclear Mom
Honey, seen, not heard.
ADr. Adamson
No. I appreciate a bit of spirit. This "girl" as you call her is far more than that. Look around you. Oppression. Indignity. Perversion. Pain. All hidden behind smiles of dishonor. Her father will reveal us. When he comes, he will scrub the flesh of this world clean and show us who we really are. But he can't arrive without an invitation. He can't come here without her welcome. But when he does... what dreams may come.
NSNuclear Sis
I'd like to see a world like that.
ADr. Adamson
Would you, now? Well, I've already cracked the eggs. Be a shame for them to go to waste. Would you like another chance to bring her to me? To save your last words for another day?
NMNuclear Mom, Nuclear Sis, Nuclear Biff
Yes, please.
ADr. Adamson
Research suggests two-parent families have a better chance at success. How about we get you another dad? [Biff and Sis take the butterscotches they were offered out of their pockets] Oh, I wouldn't eat the candies. Now, who likes cheese?
Forensics came back on the Roth murder weapon. There are prints, but they don't belong to your girl Rachel Roth. Traverse City PD called for you this morning about her.
They had an intruder at the Roth crime scene. African-American female. Maybe six foot. Magenta hair. Apparently, she assaulted several officers. BOLO came back with a match on her at a gas station up your way off the 495. Security cameras caught her leaving with a girl matching the description of Rachel Roth. And she left behind a body.
You know the first rule about running away? It's never about running away. It's about power, at a time in your life when you feel totally powerless. I know you don't think that you can handle what you're going through, but you can. If you just let other people help you. Mr. Wayne understands what you're feeling. He wants to give you a home. That is a gift, Dick. Give it another try. Please. He lost his parents, too.
You only said you just had to find her. And you did. And you brought her back to us, right as rain and beautiful as ever. You came to us just a baby. You and your mother, Melissa. You stayed with us for a while.
[seeing the painting she means] Oh. Mary meeting the divine. A favorite of mine. What does Mary see? Can forces we consider purely theological take corporeal form? Do you see a figure in the ether trying to emerge? A man?
