lfthinkerwrites

[lfthinkerwrites]

The Burning of Robinson Park

Title: Downfall

Chapter Title: The Burning of Robinson Park

Fandom: Batman

Rating: M

Chapter Summary: A line is crossed.

AO3 Link

preview

"We gave them the order to clear out," Anderson cut in, his voice sharp. "Half the people who were in there were smart enough to listen to us. If these people aren't, that's on them." He nodded at the TYGER operatives flanking him. "Load." The four men walked forward, two on the left, two on the right. 

Gordon planted his feet and spread his arms out. "I am the Police Commissioner, and I am ordering you not to take one more step!"

The TYGER guards went around him, not even bothering to look at Gordon. They took their positions in front of the grove and aimed their nozzles. Anderson's gaze was cold, almost reptilian. "We don't answer to you, Gordon," he said. "We answer directly to Mayor Sharp."

"Mayor Sharp or Hugo Strange?" Gordon challenged.

There was a slight flicker in Anderson's eyes. Irritation maybe. Then they became cold. He cleared his throat. "Two minutes are up." He looked to the squad standing in formation in front of the thicket and raised his voice. "Light it up!" 

[lfthinkerwrites]

"I cannot bear to watch, and yet, I cannot turn away."

Stephanie sighed, shaking her head. "You know, when I first signed up for this vigilante gig, buying scumbags bus tickets to get out of Gotham wasn't what I had in mind."

"I get it," Tim said. "I don't think any of us signed up for that, but it's better to get these people out than let TYGER and Strange get their hands on them."

"I know," Stephanie sighed, kicking at the ground with her boot. Five years ago, she wasn't sure she would have agreed with that. She would have gladly thrown her sperm donor into the arms of TYGER and gone to sleep with a clear conscience. That didn't make her much of a hero, now did it? "I know." She looked over her shoulder at her boyfriend. "How are you doing with all this?"

Tim sighed, then looked straight up into the dark, starless sky. "I'm tired," he said. "I feel like I'm on Death Row, waiting for my execution, or for my pardon. I just want all of this over, one way or another."

Stephanie walked to him, taking his hands in her own. "Call me an optimist," she said, "But I still think we're going to get through this."

"When did you become the optimist?" Tim asked with a small smile on his face. A smile was a smile. She'd take it. He squeezed her hands. "I think I would have gone crazy without you." He leaned in, and Stephanie met him halfway, indulging in a long overdue kiss.

Somewhere above them, she thought she heard a sound. Stephanie broke away, much to Tim's confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Stephanie took a quick look around, then up. There was no sign of anyone in the alley or on the rooftops. She shrugged. "Nothing. I thought I heard something. Must have been an animal." She leaned back in. "Where were we Boy Wonder?"

On the rooftop to their right, Ellen lay flat on her back with a hand slapped over her mouth, staring up at the dark, starless sky. Red Robin and Stephanie were dating? Red Robin, and Stephanie? Why hadn't she ever told her? Well, it wasn't like Ellen had ever asked if she was dating anyone. She'd never really wanted to know. She'd never wanted to get her hopes up, to dream about something she knew was impossible.

She still felt like she'd swallowed glass, and it was cutting her up.

She flipped back onto her stomach, slowly crawled back to the edge of the roof and looked down. Stephanie and Red Robin were still down in the alley, still kissing, still oblivious to her even being there. Ellen swallowed the lump in her throat, wanting to look away, but being unable to. Ok, she knew she never had a shot in Hell with Stephanie.

But of all the guys in the whole world, why the fuck did it have to be that asshole?

[lfthinkerwrites]

Dread the day that Alfred Pennyworth crosses paths with Ellen Dixon, because holy Hell, those two won’t like each other. Not one bit.

[lfthinkerwrites]

For Father’s Day, Enigma gets her Dad a card and takes him to an escape room, which he proceeds to beat in five minutes and then hijacks for his own purposes.

For Father’s Day, Owen goes out drinking with Digger and uses his speed powers to bail them out of a bar fight that gets out of hand.

For Father’s Day, Bruce gets a mug and an awkward hug. Maybe not as heartfelt a day, but at least he doesn’t end the day in legal trouble.

[lfthinkerwrites]

I’m in a rut. I need to find a new creative spark. So I present a poll. Whichever one wins gets a drabble.

[lfthinkerwrites]

Lightning Rod

Title: Downfall

Chapter Title: Lightning Rod

Fandom: Batman

Rating: M

Chapter Summary:

The situation with the Nigma family begins to take its toll on the Bats.

AO3 Link

preview

Tim folded his arms. "I'm not sure telling her the truth would make any difference. You said yourself that she loves her father. If he wakes up and turns against us, whose side will she take?"

Stephanie shook her head as the pit in her stomach grew larger. "You don't know that will happen."

"No," Tim admitted. "But it's a possibility. Look, maybe Nigma's kid does care about you, but if it comes down to her father or you, what will she do?" He stepped closer to her, placing his hands on her shoulders and looking her straight in the eyes. "You took a bullet for her. Would she do the same for you? Can you say with certainty that she would?"

[lfthinkerwrites]

✧*:･ﾟ✧ Fanfic Ask Game ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Send me a number (or multiple), and I'll gush about my most recent fanfic! Writers, feel free to reblog and include the name or link for your newest fic.

Summarize the fic in 3-5 sentences.

Summarize the fic using 3-5 memes.

What was the inspiration behind this fic?

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Share a snippet of your favorite dialogue.

Share a snippet of your favorite imagery.

Share your favorite joke/gag (if applicable).

Did any particular scene give you a hard time?

Was any particular scene extra fun to write?

Is there any moment in your fic that makes you go crazy, even if it's not the most well-written?

If someone were to draw one moment from your fic, which moment would you pick?

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What is your favorite chapter (if applicable)?

What element of the writing itself are you most proud of (e.g. dialogue, imagery, pacing, etc)?

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Are you considering a continuation, and if so, do you already have any ideas for how it would go?

What tropes did you find yourself including?

Are there any particular headcanons or theories of yours that found their way into the fic?

Do any comments on the fic tend to favor a specific line or element? If so, what is it?

[lfthinkerwrites]

A preview of the dynamics next chapter

Four years ago

Bruce, Barbara, Tim: Have we not fully processed Jason’s death and our complicated feelings about how we treat his memory? …No, it’s Stephanie’s fault for reminding us of him.

Now

Bruce, Barbara, Tim: Have we not taken full accountability for how we treated Stephanie? …No, it’s Nigma’s kid’s fault for reminding her of it.

[lfthinkerwrites]

Shots Heard 'Round the World

Title: Downfall

Chapter Title: Shots Heard 'Round the World

Fandom: Batman

Rating: M

Chapter Summary:

Bruce and his allies scramble to move Edward, Penelope prepares her last gambit, and TYGER's force is fully unleashed on Gotham City.

AO3 Link

preview

Penelope nodded. "I can't leak everything that Edward and I uncovered, but I can put a member of the press on the trail. Janet Van Dorn is also now aware of our investigation, but it will take time for her to build a case, and that's not even taking into account how many people in the court system may be compromised." Given how quick Van Dorn was to assume the worst of Edward, Penelope wasn't sure how much she could trust her either. "Cassidy is gone. Sharp might still get out of any consequences for the TITAN project, but he will have to expend a lot of political capital to do it, and it will further undermine his public credibility. Now that Edward's incapacitated, Strange is going to escalate. This may be our last, best chance at throwing up a roadblock."

"And you're the roadblock," Joan said. She reached over to place a hand on top of Penelope's. "Even if this works and Strange doesn't retaliate...you know what will happen. Your reputation will suffer too. You could face severe professional consequences. You could even lose your license."

[lfthinkerwrites]

Some one liners I’ve written for future chapters. Guess the characters, lol.

“Tell me something: everything that you did for me, was that because you actually cared? Did you ever really believe in me, or were you just assuaging your guilt?”

“You’ve taken a bullet for her. Would she do the same for you? Can you look at me in the eye and say with certainty that she would?”

“Oh, you don’t think I’d do it? Lyle Bolton didn’t think I’d do it either.”

“I’ve been doing it your way, and now all my friends are gone.”

“You’ve got one advantage none of the other kids ever had: you know that every word that comes out of his mouth is bullshit. Every time Bruce Wayne comes by with a check, you’ll know it’s Batman and he’ll be expecting something in return. But he doesn’t know what you know. That’s your greatest weapon. So for now, don’t do anything. Smile at him. Tell him how grateful you are. Make him comfortable enough that he’ll turn his back on you. That’s when you’ll get the chance to stick the knife in, Kiddo.”

[lfthinkerwrites]

Confrontation

Title: Downfall

Chapter Title: Confrontation

Fandom: Batman

Rating: M

Chapter Summary:

Penelope confronts Sharp for the final time.

AO3 Link

preview

"Of course," Sharp responded with a wave of his hand. Penelope listened as the heavy footsteps of the guards retreated. Once the door shut, the Mayor's expression changed. His shoulders relaxed, and his eyes grew soft. "Penelope," he said. "My poor girl. My poor, dear girl." Chills of revulsion shot up her back. Thankfully, Sharp didn't take a step forward. "I can't begin to tell you how worried I was when I heard the news," he continued. "I am so relieved that you're safe." Penelope remained silent. She didn't trust her voice just yet. She looked at the Mayor, heard his sickly, hypocritical words, and wanted nothing more than to slit his throat. "I'm so glad that you wanted to see me, though I don't understand why we had to meet here. I've tried calling you," he said. "Gordon told me that you were in the hospital for evaluation. Are you alright?" His voice faltered at the cold silence. "Penelope?" he asked again. "Did you hear me? Are you alright?" He reached his hand out.

"Don't," she hissed. Sharp withdrew his hand back quickly as if he'd touched a hot stove. He looked scandalized. "Yes, I'm alive," she continued. "How inconvenient for you."

[lfthinkerwrites]

I’m pleased to report that Downfall has crossed the 7,000 hit mark!

Oh, you guys are going to want an update, huh?

Tonight or tomorrow morning. Promise.

[lfthinkerwrites]

First Contact

As requested, the winning oneshot

By the time she was set up at her terminal, Barbara was caught up to speed. The situation was dire, to put it mildly.

Protocol Ten would be unleashed in five hours. Helena and Kate were stationed in Crime Alley, helping the people Anarky’s group were breaking out of Arkham City. Nigma was alive and was leading Bruce on some wild goose chase in the prison camp. Bruce had been infected by Joker’s blood. Tim and Dr. Young were en route to Wayne Manor to begin synthesizing a cure. Reports were starting to come in from hospitals that people were becoming infected by Joker’s blood.

Worst of all, she couldn’t contact Dick, Cassandra, Jason, or Damian. All four were dark. Stephanie was on her way to their last known location, while Bruce continued whatever scheme he was cooking up with Nigma. If they’d been captured though…

“Nightwing,” she spoke into her communicator. “Black Bat. Robin. Red Hood. If any of you can hear this, please respond.” There was no sound. “Batgirl?” Stephanie tried to respond, but through the static Barbara could only vaguely pick up that TYGER had a hammer set up. She’d need to take it out.

Barbara slammed her hands down. “Can anyone hear me!?”

There was a rustling noise in her headphones, and Barbara’s heart lifted. Then a clear voice responded, one she didn’t recognize. “Uh…hi?”

Barbara frowned. “Who is this?”

“Yeah, we haven’t met,” the voice responded. It was a high-pitched voice, either a woman’s or a young boy’s. “I’m Enigma.”

The shock almost knocked Barbara back. “Enigma? You’re Nigma’s kid? How did you get this frequency!?”

“Steph gave it to me before she and the others went down into Arkham City. You’re Babs, aren’t you? I’ve heard Hood talking to you before. Or should I call you Barbara?”

She didn’t have time to unpack all of the implications of that sentence. “Where are you right now? Crime Alley?”

The next words the girl said were spoken in a rush. “No. I mean, I was, but Red Robin came back up and went off with Doc, I mean Dr. Young, so I went down-“

“Excuse me?” Barbara interrupted. “You went down? Down where?”

There was only a slight hesitation before the girl responded. “I’m in the subways. I’m heading into Arkham City.”

Oh Jesus God almighty. “Absolutely not,” Barbara ordered. “Turn around right now.”

“No offense, but you’re not my boss,” Enigma answered. “I’m not going back up.”

Barbara wanted to scream. “Listen to me very carefully,” she said. “You are going into an active war zone. People are dying down there.”

“And?” The girl answered, masking her obvious fear with an insolent tone.

"Do you think this is a game!?" Barbara shouted. "I'm not wasting my time babysitting you when I have people I care about down there!"

"Who the fuck asked you to?" the girl responded. "You fucking Bats, I swear to Christ. You think you're the only person who has people they love in Arkham City? My father is down here! Stephanie is down here! Hood is down here! As long as they're here, so am I!"

In the top right drawer of the desk in her living room, Barbara kept a purple stress ball that Steph had bought for her. If she had it in her hands now, she'd pop it. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. A shouting match now could give away the girl's position, and she wouldn't let her die. "Enigma," she breathed out. "Ellen. Listen to me-"

"No," the girl interrupted. "You listen. I'm not asking for your permission to be down here. I don't have anything to prove to you. I'm here to find Stephanie and help her and the others. Either help me or get out of my way."

Barbara was silent, processing the girl's ego and the words she'd said. Stephanie? She was here for Stephanie? Not her father? She rubbed her chin. Was this girl really who Steph and Cass thought she was? Barbara looked to her monitor. She could send Helena down to get the girl out. She should, but that would take a vital resource away from Leslie. Ted, Alan, and Orpheus were busy in Gotham City, fighting off TYGER forces. By the time she could send anyone, Enigma would be long gone.

"Barbara? Are you still there?"

The woman who had been Batgirl sighed. "Ellen," she said softly. "If you die-"

"What, Dad will freak out?" Her tone shifted. "If I die, worry about Steph."

There was a wistfulness in her tone that Barbara picked up on. "You really care about her, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Enigma answered. "She's my friend." There was so much unsaid in those few words. How old was Ellen? Only 17, right? And yet, here she was. Tim had been wary of her, he'd been convinced that she'd turn on them, and Barbara had agreed, but here this girl was. Even after Jason. Even after what she and Bruce had almost done to her father. She loved Stephanie so much she'd followed her into Hell on Earth.

Barbara could never bring herself to trust the father. Maybe, maybe, she could trust the daughter.

"Barbara?"

Time to make a decision. "Stay where you are," Barbara ordered. "I'll contact Stephanie and have her meet you. When she gets there, I need you two to find Nightwing, Black Bat, Robin and Red Hood." God, Nigma, Cassandra, and Steph forgive her. "Where exactly are you?"

"I'm down-hold up." Barbara heard fabric rustling and a few quick puffs of breath. "Sorry," Enigma answered in a whisper. "Had to get out of sight. I saw a few TYGER guards. I think they must have a holding cell down here. I heard them talking about prisoners."

Barbara had picked up the signal Enigma's communicator was giving off and had her pinged down in the shuttered blue line station in the Bowery. Jesus, she'd gotten further than she'd thought. "You're not that far from the Arkham City processing center," she said. "What kind of equipment do you have?"

"Five smoke bombs, explosive gel, four flash bang grenades, my tonfa, and two butterfly knives." Barbara raised an eyebrow. Jason hadn't neglected arming her at least. "I'm gonna need more than that if I'm gonna break out the prisoners."

"You're not breaking out anybody," Barbara said sternly. "Stay hidden until Steph gets to you. The two of you together might stand a chance." Maybe. She had no idea what Ellen's skill set was. If she'd survived with Jason as long as she had, she couldn't be useless, but she was a blank slate. "How many guards do you see?"

"Just the two. They're going through someone's stuff now: wait."

"What?"

"What is that, a bandolier?" the girl asked, more to herself. "Are those-" She made a noise that sounded like stifled laughter. "No way. No Goddamn way."

"What?" Barbara asked again peevishly. "What is going on down there? Is it your father?"

"No," the girl answered. "Sorry Barbara, but I have to go dark for a few minutes. I'll check back in when I can. Enigma out!"

"Ellen, wait!" There was no response. Barbara rubbed her hands down her face. She wasn't looking forward to explaining this to Stephanie.

It was almost twenty minutes, and one screaming match with Stephanie later before a voice crackled from her speakers. "Hey Dad!"

"Enigma?" Barbara asked. "Where have you been!?"

"Lay off, Old Man," she said, louder than she'd spoken in their previous conversation. "Dad, you're never gonna guess who I found down here!"

Barbara arched an eyebrow. Who had she found? Why was Enigma calling her 'Dad'? "What's going on? Who's with you right now?"

"It's your old buddy, Digger Harkness!"

Barbara's jaw dropped. Harkness was in Arkham City!? When had he been transferred-he hadn't been. Strange had taken care not to import any criminals from outside Gotham. Waller had sent him here. And if Harkness was here, Lawton, possibly Flag, and who knew how many others may be lurking in Arkham City. Enigma had no idea just what she'd stepped in-

Barbara's stomach lurched. Ellen was alone with Digger Harkness. "Enigma," she said slowly. "Can he hear me?"

"Nah."

"You know who he is, right?"

"Yeah," Ellen answered. "I do."

"You know that he's a killer."

Ellen's next answer chilled her to the bone. "So am I."

A painfully familiar voice could just be heard. "Wot are you blabbin' on about!? Where's yer old man?"

"Settle down, 'Uncle' Digger," Ellen sassed. 'Uncle' Digger? What had happened while Ellen had been out of contact? "Dad's telling me where to go."

Now Barbara understood. At least, she thought she did. Ellen was either a very smart girl or she was very dumb. She took a quick glance up at the monitor. Stephanie was almost at Ellen's location. Ellen could keep Harkness distracted, Steph could blitz him, and the pair could interrogate him, figure out what Waller was up to-

Wait. Where was the rest of the Squad? They may not be too far. They may be lying in wait, watching what was happening. Barbara had no idea who else Waller had sent. There was no way Ellen could know about Task Force X, at least as far as Barbara knew, but she had to wonder if the girl knew, or at least suspected that Harkness wasn't alone.

"Ellen," she said finally. "What are you thinking?"

"Sorry, what was that Dad?" Ellen asked. "Where did you say you wanted me to go?"

Ellen wanted her to send them somewhere. Where?

Then she understood. Barbara smirked. Harkness and the Squad had no idea what they were in for. "The last location I had for Nightwing, Red Hood, Black Bat, and Robin at was outside Amusement Mile. Go back the way you came, then head north. I'll update you along the way."

"Got it. We'll see you there. Thanks, Dad."

"Oi!" Harkness' voice called out. "Let me talk to yer Old Man."

Barbara heard Ellen swallow hard. Didn't think this through, did you? "You want to talk him? About what? You want to bitch at him about what happened in Keystone some more?" Barbara felt the urge to slap her forehead. Careful, kid, careful! Mindboggler's fate was vivid in her mind.

"Mebbe I want to make sure you ain't tryin' to pull something, ranga." Barbara frantically began to type a command on her keyboard. Voice modulator. Voice sample. Edward Nigma. "Put 'im on, now!"

"It's alright, Enigma," Barbara said. "Put him on."

She could hear the girl take a breath, then a rustling sound. "Just don't stick it in your ear, you nasty old fuck!"

Harkness' voice was louder now. "Watch yer language! Oi, Ed! You there?"

Barbara pressed the command key on the voice modulator and spoke back in the brassy tone of Edward Nigma. "Digger Harkness! What a surprise! What exactly are you doing in Arkham City?"

"Never mind what I'm doing here," Harkness said. "What are you doin' lettin' yer boy runnin' around a prison camp? You outta be ashamed of yerself! That's some shoddy parenting, mate!"

Harkness calling Nigma out for being a bad parent? That was rich. Also, he seemed to be under the impression Ellen was a boy. Best not to correct him. "Yes, well, he is a rather willful little thing."

"And another thing! You need to teach 'im some bloody manners! If he were anyone else's kid, I'd beat some into 'im! He stole three of my 'rangs!"

And now Ellen had three of Captain Boomerang's weapons. Terrific. Barbara checked the monitor. Stephanie was maybe two minutes off. "Yes, I will be speaking with him about that. What can I say? He is my child, after all. My only child. I'd appreciate it if you helped keep him in one piece."

There was a snide chuckle. "Well now, that depends on you, now don't it?"

Barbara's eyes narrowed. Oh, you want to play that game, Harkness? Alright. Let's play. Now, which card? She wasn't sure what if anything Nigma knew or remembered about Task Force X. Given that they were officially disbanded, it was possible Harkness didn't have a bomb implanted in him.

Besides, Nigma was a petty son of a bitch. Threaten his child? He'd respond in kind. "Tell me, Digger," she said casually, as if Nigma was trying to pick something off a menu. "Have you heard from your son lately? Owen, right?"

All of Harkness' confidence seemed to disappear. "Y-you know about Owen?"

Barbara chuckled. "I make it my business to keep up with Rogues, in and out of Gotham. When I heard there was a new Captain Boomerang running amok, I just had to look into it. He's what, 18? 19?"

"Oi," Harkness warned in a low growl. "Don't talk about me boy, Ed."

"But it's alright for you to threaten mine?" Barbara asked, lowering her voice. "I've killed people for less than what you just said. Now you listen very carefully to me, Digger. I've given my son my location. You are to escort him to me safely. Then we can discuss whatever it is that you want to discuss. If anything, anything happens to him, even if it isn't your fault, I'm holding your son responsible for it. I may be here in Arkham City, but I can make his life so miserable, and there won't be a thing you can do about it-"

"Alright!" Harkness interrupted. "You win! I'll bring yer boy to ya! No need to get aggro! Here, talk to yer boy again!"

There was a rustling sound, and then, much to Barbara's relief, she heard Enigma's voice. "What did you say to Captain Fuckface? He looks like he's about to shit himself!"

Barbara switched off the modulator before responding. "You don't want to know," she said. She looked back up to the monitor. Stephanie was right above where Enigma's signal was coming from, and she was trying to raise her. "You need to get going before anything else happens. Stephanie's at your location."

"Yeah, I saw her," Enigma whispered. "I waved her off, but she looks so pissed."

"Yeah, I bet she is," Barbara said. "I'll fill her in and have her tail you. Start heading towards Amusement Mile. Watch your back, but don't let on that you suspect anything. Ellen, whatever you do, don't take your eyes off of Harkness. Keep him in front of you if you can."

"I got it. Barbara? Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet, kid," Barbara sighed. "You still need to survive this."

[lfthinkerwrites]

The people have spoken and the winner is Barbara Gordon. Interesting…

One shot on the way.

Which character should Enigma interact with in a oneshot?

[lfthinkerwrites]

Which character should Enigma interact with in a oneshot?

[lfthinkerwrites]

Which character should Enigma interact with in a oneshot?

[lfthinkerwrites]

Fanfic/Author Ask Game

Write a scene from [insert fic] in another character’s POV

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