DC Universe- 2100

Batman shows no emotion as he looks down at Clue with dead eyes. "They survived, Clue. Sorry.", he lies and lets go off the handle, letting the silence hang in the air before turning to leave as the police sirens came closer.

Nightwing watched Batman and then followed after him with Nightingale.

Clue laughs inwardly as everyone leaves and the police arrive shortly thereafter.  Bat-Girl paces on a rooftop in Gotham.  At one point she nearly threw up.  She knew Clue was demented and dangerous but this was...inhuman.  Lorie sits nearby, practically paralyzed.

Batman disappeared that night.

Nightwing stood on a rooftop looking down at the street. It's my fault...I just had to go with him. If I had just listened...all my fault...all my goddamn fault...

"He would've killed them all anyway, you know," Kasumi says from atop a water tower behind him.

Super-Girl flies around Gotham, helping the clean-up effort with her dad.  "I...can't believe this wasn't some world conquering tyrant."

Nightwing glanced back at Kasumi but didn't say a word.

Superman flew next to her. "Clue's a madman...he's worse than come conquering tyrant a tyrant wouldn't want to destroy everything he wanted to conquer. "

"Guess not," Super-Girl says.  "Gotham's going to take a while to recover from this one though."

Kasumi looks down on him for a moment then stands.  "Thank you for earlier," she says before disappearing.


The next morning, Commissioner Shaw holds a press conference.  "At approximately 6:37 last night, the career criminal and psychopath known as 'The Clue' announced his latest act against Gotham.  Prior to that, he'd abducted  153 attendees to a social gathering held by the Parish Foundation.  He revealed to us that he did this using an airborne sedative...a knockout gas.  That gas was accompanied by stolen nanites he'd acquired from an inside source in Arkham, a Mr. Alec Perez.  These nanites were a military weapon capable of infiltrating tanks, jet, etcetera, and destroying them from the inside with powerful remote triggered explosions.  Batman went into Amusement Mile to confront Clue.  Part of Clue's terms were that Batman enter alone.  Presumably...he didn't.  It was reported by one of Batman's allies that all of the hostages had apparently been rescued.  They were not.  They were the walking dead from the minute Clue got his hands on them.  At 11:14 PM, Clue...detonated the nanites.  Of the hostages, over 70 of them were in densely populated areas.  Twelve had been admitted to hospitals.  The rest were in more contained areas but did still do a great deal of damage.  The estimated fatality count is nearly...1200 people."

Angelica watched the TV, unable to tear herself away from the screen.  "Jesus," she says to herself.

"My superiors are demanding that I...hold the Batman and his allies responsible for this.  However...due to his membership in the Justice League of America, I am not yet at liberty to issue any arrest warrants or otherwise for or against Batman at this time.  Not until the higher-ups determine what his position there means to this situation.  As for Clue-"

Lorie turns off the television.  "That stuff is going to poison our minds, Angie," she says.

"I know," Angelica says. "Sorry.  I'm worried about Derrick and Nightwing."

The door to their flat could be heard opening, but as the two Bats hurry to the door they don't meet Derek but Marko Jones instead, his coat soaked from the pouring rain outside. "I've looked everywhere and I can't find a single trace. I'm sorry."

"Thanks anyway," Angelica says.  "Maybe it's for the best we leave him alone for a while.  This has got to be pretty rough on him.  It's sure as hell been rough on us."

"I know it has. I'm glad that you are both not harmed.", Marko says. "But what if he decides to do something rash."

"Rash like what?"  Angelica says.

"Clue's still alive.", Marko says. "Who knows what Derek might do."

"Not for long," Lorie chimes in.  "He's gonna be executed in an-". Suddenly she pauses and everyone's eyes meet.  "I'll go get suited up."

"Me too," Angelica says, walking off.

"I'll go on ahead, maybe I'll get lucky.", Marko mutters and heads out the door.

Clue sits in the chair as he's strapped.  No smile, not even a word.

The people watch expectingly through the other side at Clue as he's strapped. Everyone except for an old man at the back of the row.

Clue is done being strapped in at last and the officer stands at the level, preparing to pull it.  "You have any last words, monster?"  Clue says nothing.

The old man then opens his eyes and stares at the window. As soon as the officer starts pulling the lever the whole room blackens and everything run by electricity short circuits. People gasp and scream as the sound of glass shatters and punches being dealt ring inside the room. It takes a whole minute for the ruckus to stop and the backup generator to kick in, showing Clue to be gone and the security guards knocked out.

At the back row the old man is gone.

Bat-Girl and Black Bat arrive but too late to stop it.  "He's already been here," Bat-Girl says.

"Where do you think he'll take him?"  Black Bat asks.

Bat-Girl thinks for a moment.  "C'mon," she says, turning and leaving with Black Bat.

Clue and the old man were alone inside a very vast cave, completely enveloped the darkness except for the moonlight shining through the long tunnel. The ground is mossy and wet thanks to the high rising water that washes in every day. 

Clue had been knocked out during the "kidnapping" and was securely tied to a tall and large stalagmite that connected to the roof, the old man standing by the entrance of the cave, leaning against his personal cane.

Clue tilts his head.  "You know, you're not a very good escort.  The ride here was quite bumpy," Clue says, opening his eyes with a smile.  "A few tons of steel fell on me, head first.  Putting me under is harder than it looks."

"My knee acts up quite terribly when the hull bounces against the rough waves, so I lose control somewhat. I apologise for the inconvenience. Although, seeing as how you're not on death row at the moment, perhaps I should expect an apology in turn.", the old man says in a low raspy voice. "The moon is quite lovely this time of night."

Clue looks around.  "Ya gonna keep up with the small talk, pops?  I'm sure you have things to do, places to see, and gold diggers to swoon."

The old man lets out a short chuckle. "What thrives you?", he suddenly asks.