The Mirrorverse
Jul. 31st, 2013 11:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lepouvantail posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
loligiaryfound((This is mostly a "background" post, as re-readings found no "main" story line; rather a collection of inter-mingling subplots. To be added to later.))
In a parallel Gotham, the crime rate is down, the streets are safe, and the good citizens sleep peacefully at night.
But that peace comes at a price---a crime lord known only as the Bat had taken control of most of Gotham's crime rings, his order kept in place by his Bird Brigade: Nighthawk, an arrogant combatant who never lets anything stand in his way, Jaybird, a disabled woman in a wheelchair with a knack for technology, and Shrike, a small, gleeful little child whom grown men have come to fear, for they would often find he fit his namesake well.
There were rumors there had been another, though none could be verified.
Among the supposed peace came victims of the prices paid for it.
Jack Napier, an ordinary worker at Ace Chemicals, pushed into a vat for knowing too much about Ace's malpractice in hopes of silencing him, and when he went mad, locked away in Arkham Asylum, where no one would believe him.
Harleen Quinzel, a hardened doctor who came to learn that her newest patient knew more than he let on, but was determined to never be taken in by his gimmicks.
Harvey Dent, a district attorney who sought to help the innocent and those whom the rich and well-to-do would trod upon to quench their voices.
Edward Nygma, a police detective who was let go as the force went through with a few "renovations" to be more in line with the Bat's principles, one who still strives to solve the numerous riddles in Gotham that most wold ignore or overlook.
Jonathan Crane, professor of Gotham State University and purveyor of fear, working to right the wrongs committed against himself and others.
Billy Harris, assistant pastor and musician trying to find his way in a world where black and white have lost their meaning.
Pamela Isley, murdered for her work, reborn as a plant bearing her form, a functional ghost looking for a purpose.
Jemima Tetch, once a brilliant doctor who was shamed as another stole her work, forced her to go into the confines of Wonderland.
~~~
A cackle burst out of Jack. He laughed helplessly, his head lolling back against the couch cushion.
"Hey, I thought of a joke!"
Harleen glanced at him, remembering that earlier he said something about a "joke they'd want to hear." Maybe she would get something from him?
"What is it?" she asked, trying to show interest
"How many clowns does it take to change a lightbulb?"
Harleen shook her head with a small sigh.
"How many?"
Jack pulled one leg up to his chest.
"Dunno," he mused. "I'm still working on the punchline. You're the doctor, I thought you might know."
"...Eight," she said after a moment. "Two to hold the ladder, one to climb up and get the old one, two to catch it in a net, one to juggle it with other props, one to climb up with the replacement and drop it, and the last to point and laugh."
~~~
Madcap Jack. Columbine. Janus. Cypher. Fright Knight. Chorister. Belladonna. Queen Alice.
Eight clowns in a broken, twisted circus, one where the ringmaster has fallen and the fools have taken over.
Gone are their normal lives, traded for masks that twist and turn their paths as the Rogues do their best to seek justice in a world that has morphed them, changed them.
The Bat has since fallen, and Gotham is shifting, changing as his successors fight for power...and the Rogues do what they can to maintain the chaos, not only in the city, but within their own group.
In a parallel Gotham, the crime rate is down, the streets are safe, and the good citizens sleep peacefully at night.
But that peace comes at a price---a crime lord known only as the Bat had taken control of most of Gotham's crime rings, his order kept in place by his Bird Brigade: Nighthawk, an arrogant combatant who never lets anything stand in his way, Jaybird, a disabled woman in a wheelchair with a knack for technology, and Shrike, a small, gleeful little child whom grown men have come to fear, for they would often find he fit his namesake well.
There were rumors there had been another, though none could be verified.
Among the supposed peace came victims of the prices paid for it.
Jack Napier, an ordinary worker at Ace Chemicals, pushed into a vat for knowing too much about Ace's malpractice in hopes of silencing him, and when he went mad, locked away in Arkham Asylum, where no one would believe him.
Harleen Quinzel, a hardened doctor who came to learn that her newest patient knew more than he let on, but was determined to never be taken in by his gimmicks.
Harvey Dent, a district attorney who sought to help the innocent and those whom the rich and well-to-do would trod upon to quench their voices.
Edward Nygma, a police detective who was let go as the force went through with a few "renovations" to be more in line with the Bat's principles, one who still strives to solve the numerous riddles in Gotham that most wold ignore or overlook.
Jonathan Crane, professor of Gotham State University and purveyor of fear, working to right the wrongs committed against himself and others.
Billy Harris, assistant pastor and musician trying to find his way in a world where black and white have lost their meaning.
Pamela Isley, murdered for her work, reborn as a plant bearing her form, a functional ghost looking for a purpose.
Jemima Tetch, once a brilliant doctor who was shamed as another stole her work, forced her to go into the confines of Wonderland.
A cackle burst out of Jack. He laughed helplessly, his head lolling back against the couch cushion.
"Hey, I thought of a joke!"
Harleen glanced at him, remembering that earlier he said something about a "joke they'd want to hear." Maybe she would get something from him?
"What is it?" she asked, trying to show interest
"How many clowns does it take to change a lightbulb?"
Harleen shook her head with a small sigh.
"How many?"
Jack pulled one leg up to his chest.
"Dunno," he mused. "I'm still working on the punchline. You're the doctor, I thought you might know."
"...Eight," she said after a moment. "Two to hold the ladder, one to climb up and get the old one, two to catch it in a net, one to juggle it with other props, one to climb up with the replacement and drop it, and the last to point and laugh."
Madcap Jack. Columbine. Janus. Cypher. Fright Knight. Chorister. Belladonna. Queen Alice.
Eight clowns in a broken, twisted circus, one where the ringmaster has fallen and the fools have taken over.
Gone are their normal lives, traded for masks that twist and turn their paths as the Rogues do their best to seek justice in a world that has morphed them, changed them.
The Bat has since fallen, and Gotham is shifting, changing as his successors fight for power...and the Rogues do what they can to maintain the chaos, not only in the city, but within their own group.
