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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 18, 2010 15:20:07 GMT -6
There was always a sort of nervous tension in the air of the Gotham bank. Probably because it was always getting robbed or held up. Most didn’t even use the bank anymore, or if they did they didn’t go to the teller to get money. People in Gotham weren’t nearly as stupid as they used to be thanks to these pending days of doom and destruction.
It was getting close to closing time on a Saturday afternoon and the tellers were anxious. They wanted to get out, go home, and be with their family. Very brave people had those jobs, or very desperate people. In any case everyone there hustled, wishing to get out and go.
Suddenly, through the front door opened and five people entered all carrying guns and explosions on their persons. There was a typical woman scream and the customers who had been heading for the door were quickly backing away.
Now usually a group of thugs choosing to rob a bank wore masks of some kind and started shouting commands to get down on the ground. This little group instead walked in casually, following their leader with strange oddities in their steps.
Looking like creatures right out of a nightmare circus, the henchmen were tall and apelike, dressed in stripes and little bowlers, a European clown look to their dress. The only female among them wore a pink ballet tutu and her red hair curled into a mass of ringlet that pinned up at the back of her head. Her green eyes were striking when compared to the white mask she wore on her face.
But the strangest one of them all was the leader, a tall, wirily man carrying no weapon but instead held a pouch in one arm and a purple walking cane in the other. Everything about him was crisp and neat from his white spats to his slick back hair. Around his eyes black circles had been drawn somewhat like a mask, making his blue eyes look wild and crazy, but the strangest thing about him was the wires that laced through the skin on his face, trailing from his cheekbones down to the edges of his lips.
With a large smile he looked around at the horrified crowd and bowed. “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. With your permission I’d just like a few moments of your time!” He spoke loudly but politely.
The tellers behind the counter began quickly collecting bills, expecting that they’d be robbed. But instead of approaching the counter the Thugs went on to secure the doors. The forced metal bars through the handles and walked around to the exits to block them. The Ballet girl started walking around, a hand gun in her hand and she silently pointed it at random people.
The man with metal in his cheeks merely continued on, “Please, if I could just have everyone line up in an orderly fashion we can get this over with quickly.”
He walked over to one of the desks of a banker, grinning at the horrified expression on the mans face, “Excuse me.” He said, setting down the pouch and unrolling it to revile several little syringes each filled with a sickly green liquid.
The girl started pushing people into a sort of line and the horrified captives had no choice but to shuffle into place and cling to each other.
“You too worker people! You get to be included in the fun! Aw now don’t cry. This is a good thing. Trust me. I’m a professional.” The Metal faced man with a British accent crooned as he approached the first victim with a syringe. “There is plenty for all.”
Ten minutes later, Gotham PD was outside. Using a megaphone the Commissioner shouted through it, trying to get a response from the inside.
Finally a reply came via a makeshift microphone and speaker pressed up against the doors. It had been in a box one of the thugs brought in.
“No thank you! We’re all fine in here! Go away!”
The police officers looked at each other before the commissioner shouted again, “We’d like to negotiate with you!”
“We have everything we need! Now go away before we blow up the whole place!”
Metal-Mouth finished with the last sniveling hostage. A little boy who clung to his mommies hand and cries when the needle went into his arm. “There there.” Metal said, “See it wasn’t so bad.” He patted the kids head rather roughly before placing the empty syringe into the pouch with the others.
No he only needed to wait…
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 19, 2010 11:49:13 GMT -6
Suddenly an arrow flew out of the shadows of the bank, the titanium tip impaling itself in the marble floor at Metal Mouth's feet.
"I'm gonna have to call bullshit on that. I mean I know how you feel about explosives but even you're not dumb enough to blow the place with you inside it."
Nightwing said emerging from the shadows of an office, an arrow already notched in his bow and drawn as he watched everyone carefully yet kept the arrow aimed right between Metal-Mouth's eyes.
"Now give it up tin grin. You know damn well I don't purposely miss or give anymore warning shots."
He said with a hidden smirk. Naturally the two of them had met a few times. But so far Nightwing hadn't been able to keep him locked up. Part of him debated just shooting him right now and ending it. Although judging by the hostages they'd been exposed to something and of course only Metal-Mouth knew. So Nightwing had no choice but to keep him alive, for now.
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 19, 2010 15:23:51 GMT -6
When the arrow struck the ground at Metals feet he looked down at it in surprise but then his face twisted into a please grin and he looked up in the direction it came from only to be greeted by the one person he’d hoped to have a run in. Sizing the masked Vigilante over his brain worked like gears in a clock before he raised his hands up, the walking stick in his hand, the tip of it pointed towards the ground.
“Very well. You caught us!” He laughed once, a hollow, mechanical laugh. “Hands up boys. Looks like we’re through.”
The thugs looked at each other, including the Ballet dancer before they slowly raised their hands up as well. The grin on Metals face spread.
“You’re a rather charming fellow. What do they call you blue man that shoots arrows? You see, I’m rather good with names. Never forget them. Face’s I have more trouble with. That’s why I make sure no one forgets my face.”
One of the hostages screamed. It was the mother of the little boy. The boy had collapsed in her arms, convulsing violently with a seizure. As attention got drawn to the scene, Metal Mouth brought his cane down with a loud bang and the explosives the thugs carried began to hiss and a thick purple gas quickly filled the air.
“Quick! Get the stuff and get out!” Metal-Mouth ordered. He crouched behind the desk and looked around, now all he needed was a way out…
The Thugs booked it into a stairwell and headed up. The Ballet dancer let off a round of gunfire into the air that looked and sounded more like fire crackers than actual bullets.
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 20, 2010 6:30:43 GMT -6
He narrowed his eyes behind his mask hating when the villains and other criminals played that card. He knew a fake surrender when he saw one. As well as knowing that they wouldn't be caught without being bound or unconscious. He kept the arrow locked on the man, not paying attention to the rest of the thugs. As far as he was concerned they didn't even matter.
"Well it must work tin grin, no one could forget a face so damn ugly."
He said not flinching, just waiting for an excuse to bury the arrow into his gut or face. So he'd have to wait and hope that excuse presented itself. As the thugs ran off he ignored them. The cops had the place surrounded and had snipers on the roofs. His rebreather kicked on as soon as it picked up on something else in the air. It didn't effect his voice so it made it easier for him.
"Give it up you ugly son of a bitch. Your men won't get away and now it's just you and I in here."
He ignored the seizing kid, knowing all too well it would begin spreading to the rest of the hostages.
"Now what'd you inject them with?"
He asked before firing the arrow over the top of the desk. The arrow almost slid over the top, the edge of the arrow head going right through his hair. It would end up messing it up as well as cut a small chunk out of it.
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 20, 2010 10:29:36 GMT -6
Metal Mouth chuckled but then clicked his tongue, “Oh dear oh dear. No manners. Don’t worry about my buddies. We tunnel through last night. As you know Gothams got a really good sewer system. Great for moving along the trash!” He ran a hand over his hair, frowning and grunting, “Don’t touch the hair!”
There was a sudden boom under their feet. And Metal only giggled in excitement as he got onto his feet. The smoke was starting to clear. His eyes locked on the mask of the vigilante and his grin turned large and repulsive.
“You want to know? Then you’ll have to play the game my fine fellow. And by the way, you can’t play a game if you take out one of the main players.” He placed a finger upon the tip of the arrow and attempted to push it downward.
The other victems around them started to drop to the floor and convulse.
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 20, 2010 21:09:32 GMT -6
He narrowed his eyes at Metal Mouth, but as people dropped he knew he had no choice. Reluctantly he lowered the bow and shook his head.
"Fine tin grin, what's the game. But when I win I want the name and the antidote. I already know I'm on a time limit so let's get to it. I know how you like hearing yourself talk."
His bow collapsed and he placed it on his hip. He crossed his arms and began to pace back and forth, waiting for whatever insane game he'd have to play in order to free the hostages and cure them of whatever sick disease or toxin was coursing through their veins. Although he already noticed that Metal Mouth had an issue with his hair and personal appearance. Something he'd have to use against him down the road. And there would be another time down the road, Nightwing already knew that.
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 21, 2010 10:59:40 GMT -6
”Tsk tsk! How rude!” He rolled his eyes, ”You’re acting like this is so serious. Please allow me to explain. Do you know what Cordyceps are? Just by looking at you I would guess not. Well it’s a bacteria that grows fungi. Only they don’t just grow on plants and old wood. Oh no no no. They target living hosts. Once inside a host they start to grow while the host is still alive. However, that’s not the best part! Once they’ve completely taken over their host and the host is dead, they start to sprout toxic and VERY infectious spores.”
Metal Mouth folded his arms and giggles, ”Isn’t that a bitch!? This whole city completely covered in Fungi ridden corpses! And the only antidote happens to be far away from here. I’ll tell you where it is…” He grinned, ”If you get us away from the fuzz! And by fuzz I mean the police.
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 21, 2010 18:49:37 GMT -6
He rolled his eyes, which was of course hidden by his mask. He knew what cordyceps were of course. His intellect was near genius, just like his father's, uncle's and grandfather's. But of course Metal-Mouth wanted to hear himself talk so he let it go. He listened to the description he already knew, and then the rules, if you could call them that.
"Fine, where am I getting you?"
He asked beginning to slowly pace. He'd have to take on the cops and in doing so make himself a criminal. Something Metal-Mouth would love, just love. But then again Nightwing always had a few back up plans. So he'd play this stupid little game, cure the people and then make Metal-Mouth pay.
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 22, 2010 5:43:52 GMT -6
Metal rubbed his chin and thought, "Oh. Any old place will do. Perhaps somewhere high. Perhaps the top of Gotham NYPD would do where the old signal is. I think that will do nicely."
He grinned his hideous grin, "Best move quickly. Times ticking. Are you gonna sweep me into your arms or should I climb on your back while we do this? You'll need to be careful with me. I'm rather fragile."
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 22, 2010 6:40:13 GMT -6
"I could carry you, but then there's the risk of dropping you, can't have that now."
He said in a pleasant voice, each word dripping with venom. He motioned for MM to follow and began heading for the stairs. Gotham PD was 6 blocks away so he had a ways to go. Sure he could use the Watch Tower's teleporter but he didn't want to risk letting him loose in the Watch Tower. Plus MM may have planned for that. He kept looking over his shoulder to make sure MM was following him, and to make sure he wasn't going to stab him in the back, figuratively and literally. He kicked the door to the roof in and drew his bow. He examined the roof before firing an arrow at a sniper on another roof, pinning the man to the ground.
"Hurry up tin grin."
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 22, 2010 20:41:42 GMT -6
"Oh Masked man in blue. Stop, you're making my heart quiver." Metal replied with an equally sweet and acidic tone. He nodded and followed fast behind the vigilante. He wasn't as fit but he kept up well enough. As he did he ran his hand quickly down the pocket of his suite coat while his other hand clutched the bundle that held the empty syringes.
He followed behind, making sure that if anyone were to get shot it would be the man who went first. After Nightwing shot down a sniper he giggled. "Good shot!"
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 23, 2010 6:34:11 GMT -6
"Shut up and keep your head down."
Nightwing drew another arrow slowly circling the roof making sure the other roofs were clear of other snipers. He put the arrow back in his quiver before walking across to the next roof, sticking to the shadows to make sure he wasn't seen. He guessed Metal Mouth would walk right in the open, making sure Nightwing had to save him. He sighed before coming to an alley.
"Can you make the jump?"
He asked Metal Mouth about the 6 foot gap. He guessed that he could but would be making it hard on Nightwing. He sighed a but before turning around to keep an eye out as well as making sure the alley was clear of the cops.
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 23, 2010 10:07:28 GMT -6
Metal Mouth looked over the gap and sneered. “Anything you can do I can do better Mr. Nightwing.” He grunted and then jumped up onto the ledge, the wind picking up and messing up his hair. He growled and tried to comb it back down with one hand while still clutching his belongings in the other. He hadn’t thought this run in would end up with messing up his good looking features.
Taking a step back he jumped and barely made it across, for a split second a surprised look on his face. He turned and looked back down at the alley, the fall that could have killed him a split second ago and laughed. “Guess I wasn’t meant to die today.”
If he’d fallen that would have just made it all the more fun. Then either Nightwing would have had to save him or he’d die and all of Gotham would die with him. Either way would have been a laugh for Metal.
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Post by Nightwing on Sept 24, 2010 6:41:42 GMT -6
"Ya never know tin grin...."
Nightwing said with an audible sneer. He wanted to simply beat the information out of him, but also knew MM was smarter than that and would be expecting that. Not to mention he was probably wired to blow just in case something like this happened, which undoubtedly he'd been counting on.
"Stay here."
He said and pointed to some shadows. Would MM listen to him? Probably not, Nightwing wasn't dumb. He drew an arrow and began to scout around but didn't see anything. He could still hear the commotion back at the bank and the scanners had already identified him as an accomplice. His heart broke when he heard that, knowing he was letting his father down. But it was for the greater good, he just knew it was.
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Post by Metal-Mouth on Sept 24, 2010 10:09:30 GMT -6
"Whatever you say Nighty." Metal Mouth retorted. And he actually did stay. Sure he could make a run for it but if he got away that would end the game. And he did so love playing games. Placing his cane down on the ground he put both his hands ontop of it and waited, a grin placed on his jagged features, swaying a little from side to side and humming.
He wondered how long the Nightwing would take. He was on a time limit. And there were a few more surprises pending...
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