InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Is that candy mountain!?"

Terry Mcginnis (batman2point0) wrote in parabolical,
@ 2009-06-18 19:48:00

Entry tags:

bruce wayne/batman, terry mcginnis/nightwing

Who: Terry, Bats, AU!Bats
What: Taking care of things. Tying up lose ends.
When:The 18th.
Where: The manor.
Warnings: character death
Ratings: high and probably graphic.
status: IN PROGRESS

Terry was happy to have a bed again. Not that he wasn't grateful that Roy took him in, but he could swear he had the shape of one of Lian's toys permanently embedded in his lower back from sleeping on that couch (if you could call it that). He'd done nothing but sleep since he was back in Bruce's presence. Finally felt safe enough to. And he desperately needed to. He didn't realize how much his body hurt until he finally woke as the sun began to set and he pushed himself up with a small groan of discomfort. Standing up he moved towards the small window and carefully stretched his arms as far as he could without hurting himself. Which wasn't very far at all.

How long would it take to heal? This was torture. He couldn't help Buffy, he was pretty sure Bruce was going to keep him on the tightest leash he could find. Bruce Wayne was still in their house, and in the next room at the same time. Which hurt his head more than it should. Terry was just happy he'd at least brought a change of clothes so he didn't have to wear his suit constantly, it pressed against his ribs in uncomfortable ways. Like a suit of body armor should. Terry pushed aside the blankets and climbed out of bed, there were so many things on his mind he didn't really know what to say. It didn't help that he was full of nerves when it came to that other guy whom he refused to call Bruce. He knew he wasn't being forced into going-actually quite the opposite, but he was worried.

Terry leaned against the window in his small room and looked out at the darkening sky. How were they going to deal with this? Leaning down to a backback by his feet he opened the slip and pulled out a red and black batterang, twirling it in his fingers. When it was thrown at it's target, it would send out a powerful electric shock. But would it be enough?

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caped_crusader
2009-06-19 01:45 am UTC (link)

If they were going to do this, he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. There was no use in stalling or biding their time, no use waiting around for another hour, thinking about what was bound to happen, what had to happen. The two of them couldn’t coexist, couldn’t walk through the same city at the same time. Bruce had an idea of what was impossible, but he wasn’t going in this to kill. He wasn’t expecting it and he certainly wasn’t anticipating it by any stretch of the imagination.

Terry spent most of his time sleeping and Bruce was compliant and let him rest while he tried to mentally prepare himself for what was to come. There was no way around it. He couldn’t be allowed to run free and Bruce wanted his manor back. He wanted the cave and the dogs and the weapons, the spare suits and the cars. Everything that the other one had taken over while he’d been absent.

Batman started into the mirror through kohl rimmed eyes, through the cowl that meant safety and strength and protection. The man (monster?) that he was coming closer and closer to approaching would look exactly like he did. There wouldn’t be any differences physically and this scenario? The whole thing was something he had never believed he’d have to deal with.

He heard the rustling of Terry getting up in the other room and looked down at his gloved hand, blinked absently. Maybe taking him along was a bad idea. Would he be able to fight and keep an eye on Terry at the same time? Would he listen? He was already hurt. Bringing a wounded teenage boy onto a battleground wasn’t the smartest thing he could do, but he could see that Terry wanted it and there was the chance that it would pay off.

“You still sure you want to come?” When he showed himself, it wasn’t the Batman’s voice he used to ask the question with. That tone was too rough to use with Terry right now. He was aware of that.

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batman2point0
2009-06-19 02:16 am UTC (link)

He needed the sleep. Unfortunately it wasn't all very restful or dreamless. At least some of the color was coming back into his face. He looked a little physically better. Mentally was another question. One he wasn't sure if he was ready to deal with yet but he knew he had to. Something bad had happened to him, but he wasn't just a powerless teenager, he was Batman. Batman didn't hide from fear, he faced it.

Terry knew they couldn't wait much longer, the future and parallel universes were his gig. He knew what could and would happen if both Bruce's existed in the same time plane for more than two days at the most the results could be catastrophic. Could change history at the least for all of them. He didn't say anything about it. Not wanting to put more worry into Bruce's head, it had to be unnerving enough to fight your own dark shadow.

"No. But I have to." He said as he pushed away from the window and picked up his brown backpack, he always had it on him no matter where he went. Kept his suit and extra weapons inside and close at all times. Sort of a security blanket. "I'm not gonna let you go alone." He gave him a forced smirk and pulled his suit out of his bag, it was torn in the places Batman's armor had scraped it and Kal had pushed him.

Terry disappeared for a minute in the small bathroom to change into his suit and closed the distance between them. He was still holding onto the pack, part of him wondered if he should give Bruce some of the weapons he had-they were different, the other Batman wouldn't be expecting them. At the same time...if he had the chance, he was going to use them. He knew he promised he'd listen and stay hidden. How long could he really expect to stay hidden for? It wasn't a very big cave.

"I want that dreg out of our house." He tried for humor, though it sort of flat lined thanks to his nerves.

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caped_crusader
2009-06-19 03:40 am UTC (link)

Bruce had to remind himself sometimes, that Terry was Batman too. He wasn’t the only one. He may have been young but he had the experience to back him up and it was Terry who he trusted more than anybody else. Going in there alone would be careless and not to mention slightly, distinctively stupid. If by chance, he fell down and just for one moment, found himself at the other’s mercy, Batman knew that he would be in trouble. He needed backup and even though Terry was wounded, he was his best bet.

Batman was busy subduing his worry. His head was full of what ifs and he knew he had to keep those at bay. The voice that kept telling him that he could lose was restrained and locked up. Listening to it wasn’t going to help him and he knew better than to set it free. The Batman was all about control. The Batman didn’t allow anything to get the better of him. It wasn’t worth the risk.

His vision followed Terry as he moved. He wasn’t so much skeptical as he was worried. “We’ll get you a new one after this,” he commented, nodding at the ripped suit. If he could manage it, he’d hand him back his colors, the red and the black, the things that he was used to. Bruce was Batman, but so we Terry. He had been possessive of the title when the kid had first shown up, and since then, he’d changed his mind. There could be two of them. Bruce didn’t mind as long as it was Terry behind the suit. He wouldn’t accept anybody else.

His lips curled into the beginnings of a smirk upon hearing what Terry wanted and he shook the nerves away from him. “You’ll get that.” Batman pulled open the door knowing that he would be followed.

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batman2point0
2009-06-19 04:03 am UTC (link)

Terry had the skill. Knew what it was to be Batman, knew what made the dark knight tick from his own years of experience. If not for his injuries he probably could have evenly matched the bat he met in that alley. So taking him along? Not such a bad choice. Bruce had trained him well, as much as he hated to admit it. The sometimes nearly inhumane training sessions paid off. If he ever made it home he'd have to thank him one day. He wondered for a moment as he stood there beside Bruce what home was like without him. Who was watching over Gotham. If it was anything like the reality Bruce had been sent to.

Sometimes he dreamed about it. Most of them weren't very comforting dreams. Almost nightmares, his mom and brother probably thought he was dead by now. He'd been gone so long. Terry for the most part was quiet..what was he supposed to say before something like this? Terry was still moving carefully, it obviously hurt to do much of anything. This would be a trip. But there would be time to heal later. At least he'd gotten some sleep. Looking up he raised a brow. "A new one? ...I'm telling you right now I'm not putting on the Robin suit." He smirked a little wider. What else was left after nightwing? Man he needed to be more careful with his suits.

He followed Bruce out the door and blinked. "We're not gonna show up at the manor in a cab." Terry stated flatly and pressed the small auto pilot beacon on his gloved wrist. Within seconds, it was pulling in the street. It was in rough condition, but hey at least this time he couldn't really be blamed..could he?

Knowing Batman he'd find a loophole later and there would be grounding.

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caped_crusader
2009-06-20 03:43 am UTC (link)

He believed that Terry would have been able to keep pace with his counterpart, and if it hadn’t been for the setback that had already been in place, he would have done exactly that. It took astonishing skill to be Batman, and not just that, but to go about doing it the right way. It was an exhausting task and if you didn’t have what it took to make it work, you would be knocked out of the picture before you could comprehend what was happening.

Batman was wide awake and aware of everything within the vicinity of where the two of them stood. The stench of exhaust wavered in the already stale air of the inner city and to his left, there was someone breathing in shallowly through his mouth, gawking with bloodshot eyes. That was one thing that never failed to agitate him night after night. Batman and Nightwing standing at a curb was going to produce a few gaping onlookers and the more convincing they looked, the more spectators they were going to get. And of course, they were damn convincing.

Ignoring their one man audience, Batman gave Nightwing an amused pat on the back and said nothing until the Tumbler pulled up close. “I don’t know. I think you’d make a pretty good Robin.” One look at the car and his voice was directed back at his companion again. “You’ll get a pair of tights with the suit. I wouldn’t even think about leaving them out.”

Maybe he’d stick Terry in that suit just for those scratches, and the dents, and everything else he could see wrong with the car. It was an idea.

Finally looking at Nightwing, Batman had only one thing left to say.

“I’m driving.” There was no room for arguments. He was expecting to get one anyway.

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batman2point0
2009-06-20 04:17 am UTC (link)

"Very funny, haha." He said with a half hearted, more amused if anything- glare as he looked up at Bruce. Everyone by now knew his stance on the sidekick issue. Not now, not ever. Sidekicks only went badly. He'd read Bruce's files, saw the proof for his own eyes. Met Tim Drake. Dick Grayson..they were older of coarse, but the bitterness was very much still alive with them years later even in 2049.

"Tights are so last century." Terry said with a roll of his eyes as he folded his arms and waited for the Tumbler to park infront of them. As usual it stopped on a dime even considering the small amount of damage. He didn't pay much attention to their audience, he'd gotten used to the stares by now. The bloodshot eyes only made him hate the city a little more because he couldn't do anything to help. Not tonight anyway. There were so many problems it was almost starting to look like Gotham. Not just over run with vampires and demons. Criminals, drug dealers, rapists, and gangs were still very much a reality to and there were so many the police couldn't take care of it.

They both made their way toward the car, and he gave the older man a stare of disbelief. "I'm driving, if it was left up to you we'd be pulling up in a cab. I've got the key." He held up the card and smirked.

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caped_crusader
2009-06-29 08:23 pm UTC (link)

And Batman had reached out and grabbed the key. He plucked it away from Nightwing and the car ride to the manor was rushed and hard on the road that it took to it’s destination. The Tumbler swerved expertly and (although it didn’t look it) carefully through traffic. Batman took it through alleys and kept his eyes to the streets at all times, not reckless enough to take them away even for a second.

The Tumbler drove up to the manor sooner than he would have liked. It occurred to him that if he’d driven slower, they would have been given more time. He hadn’t allowed himself the chance to think as he drove but the car stopping forced his thoughts to return at full force. They were rushed and overbearing and Batman blinked but could not make them disappear. He wanted to be right where he was. Getting rid of the man who had claimed his house was unavoidable and while he didn’t fear him, he grasped the fact that they would be evenly matched.

He could lose.

The Cave looked exactly how they had left it, if you didn’t acknowledge the blood on the floor. The new occupant had left a trail of it, had shaken it off of his glove and watched it splatter. Batman noticed it immediately and sensed the other presence instantly, suspected that Nightwing did too.

He took a chain from his utility belt and twined it firmly around his hand, his wrist, pulled it tight. The silver was a perfect contrast to the black, bright against dark, making it painless to keep him separated from his mirror image. Batman held out his arm to make sure that Nightwing saw it

The first thing the other one did when he stepped into view was wipe a streak of blood away from his cowl. Stomach churning in disgust, the Batman with Nightwing straightened his shoulders, peered menacingly from across the room. He lowered his head, glowered.

He didn’t want to be chased away. So he flung himself instead. That wasn’t how Batman was supposed to work but he had been expected it from their most recent problem and braced himself for the blow. His kick only sent his opponent a short distance back, but it was enough to give him the upper hand for the time being. It would do.

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batman2point0
2009-06-29 09:22 pm UTC (link)

The smirk fell from his face as his hand was suddenly keyless. Terry wanted to protest. He could see Bruce was really in no mood to argue. Normally he'd push it anyway for the fun, but now wasn't the time. Reluctantly and hesitently he climbed inside and strapped in. Tightly. He knew how the other bat drove, he hoped to god this one was a little better. Suddenly he was thankful they didn't eat before they left. Nightwing winced as the Tumbler made it's rough turns through L.A.'s busiest streets and almost felt like closing his eyes. Hiding. If he didn't see it, it wasn't happening, right? That was the general logic.

As they arrived Nightwing felt uncertainty starting to bubble up inside. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Were they ready? He certainly didn't feel ready. The ache in his chest was a wonderful reminder of just how strong and ruthless that Bat was. How cruel..His eyes flickered toward Bruce to watch him busy with the chain. Hoping the nerves weren't showing behind his mask he took a breath as they arrived. There he was. The other one. Terry saw him from the Tumbler's tinted window. The Batman lunged at Bruce, and Terry suddenly felt everything freeze inside. A chill down his spine as Bruce fell back and took the blow.

Did he do something to break the pattern? Bruce told him to stay out of sight. Stay away from that freak show. He did. Terry stayed in the Tumbler and tried to force himself to stay calm. Bruce was fine. He was getting up, the other one wasn't yet. Bruce had a chance. It wasn't hopeless.

Who was he kidding? Stay inside the Tumbler? When the Bat was distracted, Terry used the cars large shadow to get out and stayed there in it. Stepping forward his boot landed in a puddle of dark red liquid and his heart sank. He watched them on pins and needles. Fingering a blue and black circular shaped batterang. At least it wasn't glowing yet. Element of surprise still in tact.

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caped_crusader
2009-07-02 04:49 am UTC (link)

This had to be a good idea. It had to be because it was the only one he had. They didn’t have enough time and Bruce wasn’t patient enough to decide on another course of action. He could think and plan and take notes but in the end, he was going to be fighting somebody who would be able to anticipate every single one of his moves. Whether he liked it or not, they were essentially the same person, separated only by a one decision, by one mistake.

He was grounded and stable and sensible, rational enough to be respected as well as feared. His duplicate’s sanity was severely lacking in substance and while people shuddered at the mention of his name, they did not appreciate or hold him in high regards. Batman saw a glimmer of frenzy reflecting in eyes that were exactly like his own, down to the small flecks of green that you couldn’t see unless you looked hard enough.

Terry wasn’t staying in the Tumbler. Bruce knew him well enough to be doubtful of him abiding his orders. He was attuned and familiarized with him so thoroughly that his senses picked up on his change of location, from the car to the Cave stained with blood. He was utterly tempted to glance over his shoulder, to take a look at Terry and decide if he was safe where he had taken his stance. Looking away would distract him and he couldn't risk distraction.

The fight was what Batman had thought it would be. His attacker was unrelenting and lawless and he took all the blows that he himself would have never relied on. He could circle him and take the hits and return them with as much brutality, and still, he wasn’t able to make an estimate or guess at a conclusion. Their fighting styles, their experiences and their strength levels were balanced. Ending a confrontation when both participants were the duplicates of one another in skill was easier said than done.

Feeling the pressure of his teeth smashing together, Batman tasted the blood seep out of his mouth and stumbled back into a cracked wall. His vision swam and blinking something wet away, he was suddenly aware that a bright light had exploded somewhere near his face, sent off with a blow from the other Batman’s fist.

Throwing himself back in the other’s direction; that was what he was fully prepared to do. It didn’t matter that there was blood on his face, trailing from the corner of one of his eyes and out of his mouth. He was about to get back in there anyway, but seeing the Batman without the chain turn to stare straight where Nightwing was positioned, he swiped and grabbed steadily at his shoulder. Met with a snarl and a glare, he found himself pushed again, heard a click and felt the cold edge of one of the blades from the gauntlet pressed against the exposed flesh under his already bleeding eye. Warning.

Disoriented by whatever had been thrown into his face, he distantly heard you lose before he slid down. His attempt to make another grab was meaningless. He tried anyway.

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batman2point0
2009-07-02 07:29 am UTC (link)

There would be time for puppydog looks and forgiveness later. Right now Terry was more worried about keeping Bruce alive. They were so even it was scary. Watching them his worry was justified. His own safety wasn't really important as far as he was concerned. That didn't mean he wasn't going to be careful, he didn't want to distract Bruce more than he probably already was presence alone. Terry stayed as still as he could, as long as he could within the shadow of the Tumbler. Crouched beside it watching the pair like a hawk until something bright chased away the shadows of his protection and blinded him. He covered his eyes with a wrist and suddenly caught the shimmer of a chain out of the corner of his eye, sliding out of sight. Falling. The contrast of blood against white light reminded him of the chainless Bat's cruelty. Of the fight in that alley. Ruthless fists and a cold heart.

Terry felt sick inside. Unsure what to think. He knew he should treat this like any other fight. But it wasn't..to him it was something dangerously close to mental. These men were his father. To watch them tear themselves apart broke him. Caused so many conflicting emotions he almost lost track of the fight right infront of him. He could hear the sounds of tearing flesh enhanced by his fear, and see the blood stained ground. He swallowed thickly. There were so many uncertainties building up inside him, when Bruce fell everything turned to white noise. Everything was numb and seemed to move in slow motion. The only thing that mattered was on the ground a few yards infront of him. He felt frozen. Like his feet would never move again. His mouth felt dry and his fingertips on autopilot gripped a neon blue and black batterang.

With a crack it snapped open. The tail end of the object was glowing ominous blue in the shadows. If there was one thing Terry could be confident in it was his marksmanship. He never missed. And this was a special toy. One he'd saved just for the man who claimed to be Batman with his father's face who struck him down and tore at his heart. He loaded the small but lethal batterang into his gloves grappling hook. Terry wasn't sure what happened next. It all happened so fast.

He was pushing away from the Tumbler. Chest working hard just to take in the air his lungs desperately needed. They burned with pain but it didn't slow him down. Nightwing couldn't do it before, couldn't strike him down. Seeing Bruce's blood changed everything. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, before the chainless Bat could land another hit Nightwing was between them. Something almost primal in his eyes barely seen behind the mask. With all his strength and adrenaline to back it up he thrust a fist at his jawbone and threw him down. Crossing the distance between them, Nightwing stood over the fallen body. Cold eyes staring downwards. Emotionless except for his jawline that was set so sternly.

The batterang he'd loaded into his grappling hook was fired point blank into the Bat's chest. More crackling blinding blue light flooded over the body.

"..You lose." Terry repeated cruelly as he smelled the scent of burning flesh. His hand that had been balled into a fist, didn't loosen. Terry was still as he watched the Bat's face.

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