Ep 8, Season 2
The Long Halloween
Synopsis: Scarecrow executes his backup plan by locking down Arkham Asylum with the intention of using those people trapped inside as his potential test subjects for his fear toxin. With no time for proper training, Kate takes Ryan out with her in the field as they race against the clock to rescue Sophie, Julia, and the others before more lives are lost.
In Arkham Asylum, a sinister plot was stewing, unknown to all inside. Sophie and Julia had just rendered the main building with Crow backup.
"I've got a crummy feeling Luv," Julia remarked.
"Why is that?" Sophie asked curiously.
She pulled her aside. "That agent, Proctor. He was seeming quite interested in being around us, you more so. I know a spy when I see one."
"Well, they can't and don't know about what commissioner Montoya offe-" Sophie began replying silently before Julia put her hand over her mouth.
She shook her head. "You shouldn't mention that, not around here. Don't know who's listening or creeping around. Want to get out of here as fast as possible."
"You can say that again," Sophie replied, looking around to see if anyone was listening. Julia's paranoia was rubbing off on her.
They continued walking along, catching up with the other Crows, but something seemed to go wrong. The group went into a different section, then a security gate came down before they could be together.
"Hey! What's going on!" Sophie asked aggressively, turning to the security guards monitoring the translation between sections.
They didn't immediately respond, seeming to be deeply confused. One finally did. "Lockdown procedures just kicked into gear. We're locked out of the system!"
Julia shook her head. "Don't you have overrides?"
They nodded. "Yeah, not working. Someone knew the codes. Something is deeply wrong here. We need to lock down the island! At least this building, we don't know what's happening here!" They expressed seeming panicked.
Sophie's attention was elsewhere, noticing gas pouring inside where the Crows were trapped inside of the lockdown. The gates had boxed them in.
The speakers then turned on. A distorted sinister female sounding voice began speaking. "Scarecrow has had this dream for years. Turning this place of madness into one of experimentation, facing the greatest fears from within. Nobody is leaving here, not until the experiment is complete, and that will happen once Scarecrow returns, safe and sound. Tell that to the outsiders trying to break in, once they realize everything has gone a little upside down," They then stopped speaking and cut off.
Sophie and Julia looked on in horror as the Crows in front of them got affected by the fear gas, starting to attack each other or start screaming on the floor.
"Is there any way out?" Sophie asked.
The Arkham guard frowned and shook their head. "We're locked in the building. Going to have to wait until they blew their way inside to rescue us, which is easier said than done," They admitted starting to feel afraid.
Sophie and Julia looked at each other, trying to form a plan in their minds.
Elsewhere, in a remote part of the asylum, Doctor O'Shay was on the phone with Scarecrow once more, looking at their plans going into motion from the monitors. "It's all coming together perfectly!" She exclaimed.
"Indeed, and this will bring forth the end of Batwoman. Alice will make sure of that," He replied, sinisterly creeping up onto Arkham with a few of his minions.
Batwoman
Staring/Cast
Everyone saw in season 1 or 2, or etc is the same, including Ruby Rose as Kate Kane.
Vanessa Morgan is Ryan Wilder
Stephanie Beatriz is Renee Montoya.
? is Scarecrow. (Idk lol)
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe is doctor Abigail O'Shay (Realized I "whitewashed" her, sorry if anyone really cares about that sort of thing. Ultimately, I just figured the actress would be a good fit for pulling off the creepy vibes, and the comic version was a pretty much nothing character anyways)
? (I swear this character looks like an actor I recall) is Aaron Cash, he's an Arkham guard from the Arkham games. Not really a spoiler saying he's in this episode.
Vesper Fairchild had thoughts to share about the recent troubles in Gotham.
"This Halloween season has taken a darkly spooky turn! Scarecrow back after 5 years? We're living in an utter nightmare! If the Crows and GCPD were better at their jobs, this maniac wouldn't have escaped putting countless lives in danger! 2 people have died tonight due to his horrible attacks, and he's still on the loose! To their credit, they've worked together to bring in this menace, and his escape is on Arkham, who didn't appear to say anything! Kids were trick treating tonight. Fortunately, they'll all safe and sound. Even got word quite a bunch of Batwomen of all ages were out tonight! Speaking of which, she managed help stop Scarecrow's second attack, with a twist. It appears our hero has herself a sidekick! Dare I say a new Robin? Now it's a double mystery of who those two are and what this means for the future of Gotham's protectors!
During listening to this, Kate, at last, brought Ryan into the Batcave. The young woman looked around with her jaw dropped. "Can't believe it, never imagined I'd see this."
"Welcome, and be sure not to tell anyone. Might have to kill you," Kate joked.
"Uh, Kate?" Luke asked, surprised to see she brought Ryan. "Wasn't expecting this. Is everything alright? You went radio silent for a bit."
She nodded. "Yes, coms were down, and I figured you'd disapprove of me bringing Ryan to the cave. Where's Mary? She should check on her," Kate said, looking around.
"Right here!" She exclaimed, coming over. "Hey, nice to meet you, Ryan!" She chirped, trying to give off good energy.
"Your Mary, right? And I'm guessing he's Luke Fox? Guess they are like your sidekicks?" She asked, crossing her arms.
Kate shrugged. "More like partners, like you could be. Mary, could you check her for anything? She got gassed and attacked by Scarecrow, just want to be safe."
Mary nodded and led Ryan away to get checked upon.
"Why did you bring Ryan Wilder back here? Did you tell her criminal girlfriend you found her?" He asked.
She sat down. "Alright, I brought her back here to get checked on by Mary, and she nearly killed Scarecrow but showed restraint. That rage subsided, even just a little. Which means there's still a chance for her. I'm not giving on Ryan. Figured bringing her in now would be a good idea. Shouldn't keep her at arms distance."
"True enough, but how can you be so certain she won't snap again? Scarecrow always has big plans when he strikes. Now won't be any different. Not to mention, we still don't know exactly how much Whisper means to Ryan. I was digging, and she's gotten in league with a dangerous woman."
Kate sighed. "Figured you go from this angle, you're fair to pessimistic."
"I'm not, maybe a little. You deny solid evidence right in front of you!" He exclaimed, shaking his head.
"We'll talk more about this later. I'm going to check on Ryan and confront her about her inner darkness. I'll be careful, alright?" She walked off while Luke still looked skeptical.
During their talk, Ryan and Mary spoke.
"What's it like? You know, helping out Batwoman on her crusade of justice?" She asked.
Mary laughed. "I'm not really a helper, actively. More the heart of this team, you know? I'm basically holding the three of us together. Maybe four now."
"So your the glue of the team? Is that your words or a fact?" Ryan said sarcastically.
"Really wanna be making jokes to your sorta doctor? One who's got a few needles over here?" She joked right back.
Ryan looked down. "Not afraid of needles, maybe more that's inside them." She admitted seeming to have bad memories.
"Sorry, touchy subject, huh?"
"Yeah, definitely. You didn't know, not your fault. Just a part of my past, it's best to move past all that. Making jokes about it kinda helps, know it's different for some people."
Mary nodded. "At least you're better and can handle needles! That's gotta be a superpower!" She exclaimed, sounding cheerful.
"Yeah, true enough."
Kate came over.
"Ryan here is all good health-wise from what I can tell," She said to them both.
"Good, could I talk with her in privacy? Something important," Kate said, looking at both of them rubbing the back of her head.
Mary walked off, seeming to go over to Luke out of ear range.
"You nearly killed Scarecrow. I think you very well would if I wasn't there."
Ryan looked down, disappointed. "Yeah, it's true. Wanted to blow his deranged brains out. Or lack of brains, right?" She joked.
Kate wasn't finding it funny. "This is serious. If you actually killed him, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would've turned you into Montoya. Even at the risk of you exposing my identity to the world."
"I would never expose your identity. Won't happen. I swear. If you really don't trust me, then turn me in, throw me out. Whatever."
Kate sighed. "Ryan, I want nothing more than for us to work together as partners. There is good inside you and bad. Which is driving you more? That's what I wonder. He's going to come back, and when he does, I want you to help me bring him down. You might kill him, and I'd be as responsible for his murder as you. Technically a co conspiracy to commit murder. I'd wonder what right I have wearing this suit if that happened, sometimes I already feel like that. I-" Before she could finish speaking, Luke had rushed over with his tablet.
"It's Crane! He's taken hostages at Arkham! Must have been his real plan all along. Who knows, but what matters most is, Sophie and Julia are part of the hostages!"
Batwoman spun over to him. "I've got to get there. Start getting every bit of intel you can!" She turned to Ryan. "I know what I just said, but this changes things. He's got friends of mine, people who matter. I need your help. Promise me you won't make me regret this," She said thoughtfully, staring into her eyes fearful.
"I promise Kate, I'll hold myself back,"
Kate then turned back to Luke. "We both need to be prepared this time. Tell me we've got gas masks!"
He nodded and rushed over to retrieve them, along with cures for Crane's toxin.
Back in the Asylum, Sophie, Julia and some Arkham guards rushed to the armoury, getting gas masks along with weapons. On the way, they ran into agent Proctor, a few Crows and other Arkham staff with the same idea.
"How did that madman take the Asylum? The security is horrendous!" Proctor exclaimed.
"They clearly got a mole, don't pin this on us!" One guard replied, getting in his face.
"Hey! This isn't the time for fighting! We need to come up with a plan of getting us all out of here," Sophie said, standing between them, looking around at everyone.
Another guard nodded. "She's right. We're only getting out alive if we work together."
While they started to relax, the speakers turned on again. It was Alice.
"Curiouser and curiouser, isn't it? How does a wacko wearing a bag on his head manage to take over Arkham? I kid, he's brought a fanatic opportunity to us all. Exposing you all to your greatest fears, but that isn't working, is it? You seem to forget, we can see you! Take off those masks and take deep breaths. If you do, might just come out of this alive! Perhaps even learnt something? At least that's what Scarecrow claims. So, take your medication, or we're all coming to kill every last one of you! Believe me, somehow he's got himself a lot of resources here! A lot of hired killers, with itchy trigger fingers!"
They all looked at each other.
"This doesn't change anything. We have enough to hold out until support comes. We could even bust out before they get here if we're fast enough," Sophie declared.
The Arkham guard from before nodded his head and turned to his people. "You heard her. Let's get a move on!"
"Thank you, officer?"
"Cash. Aaron Cash. Had to be of service. You seem like one of the good Crows. Not a chicken looking out for money, got a bunch of those here."
She nodded, frowning. "Should get moving."
Outside of the main facility, GCPD and Crows were swarming the place. Batwoman arrived behind them with Ryan, trying to be silent to avoid any Crows before getting to Montoya. Which they managed to do.
"What's the status inside?" Batwoman asked.
Renee was slightly surprised. "You scared me, crappy time to be afraid. Right, uh, status. Scarecrow has somehow taken over the main building. The others are fine. Looks like he's not planning a breakout. This one he's taken holds the least dangerous foes. At least none with abilities or an active danger risk. I think I'll never know about this place. Swear it's upside with how it operates."
"Is Scarecrow inside?" Ryan asked.
Renee shrugged. "Not positive. I'd say no. He's a coward. Many leaders are."
"Tell me we're not going to wait around this time, right? Earlier tonight was ridiculous, no offence commissioner," Batwoman said, looking at the officers and Crows just waiting around twirling their thumbs.
"It's the protocol, not exactly the desired plan. We should be heading in any minute as long as we don't have any hostages that can be confirmed. We've got some communication with insiders. They might be willing to talk with you, might be good having you two-scoop out the place. Silently, of course," Montoya brought Kate and Ryan over to the radio, where Jacob was. He wasn't pleased to see them as usual but tried to keep his anger focused on the current situation.
"Are they going to help or make this situation worse? This partner doesn't seem very experienced, and from what I recall, you two nearly got killed earlier," Jacob pointed out.
"We're prepared this time, won't have the same result. You can count on that," Batwoman expressed confidently.
The radio turned back on. "We've got a problem!" It was Sophie's voice, which got Kate's attention immediately. "Alice is working with Crane! They've got a hit squad in here! You must proceed with extreme causation!" She exclaimed.
Batwoman looked determined and turned to Ryan, giving a knowing look. As Kane kept speaking with Sophie, the two heroes went to get inside while Montoya covered their tracks, just in case.
Meanwhile, back inside, Alice was sitting around, waiting to go on the offensive. She was itching to spill some blood. At last, Scarecrow arrived, getting the attention of all his goons and piquing Alice's curiosity.
"What exactly is your genius plan here?" She questioned.
"Easy, Batwoman will come. When she does, you will deal with her at last. Been a long time in the making, hasn't it? You can figure the rest out, as long as she and the rest of her helpers are dead. Sounds like a successful plan. Then, my final scheme can get put into motion at last!" He exclaimed.
"Right, and what happens if I perhaps don't kill Batwoman?" She asked with a smirk.
"It would be disappointing."
"You didn't let me finish. Killing her would be a mistake. Allow me to explain," Alice said sinisterly with a broad smirk.
Batwoman and Ryan started looking for an entrance.
"Kinda ironic how you mentioned my personal stake, and now you have two friends in there at that psycho's mercy," Ryan pointed out.
"No matter what happens, we bring him in alive," Kate replied, glaring at her severely.
She nodded. "What about Alice? I know she's your sister. It must be quite hard knowing she'd work with this monster."
"Your right, somewhat. At this point, I'd be surprised if Alice didn't work with a psycho," Kate admitted and found an entrance point. "Come on, let's go."
They went inside carefully, putting on their gas masks.
"Wish I had a suit or body armour at least, just wearing this hood and face mask doesn't make me feel so great," Ryan said once they got inside.
"Prove I can trust you here, and I'll ask Luke if he can start making a suit. At least something temporary told me those things don't happen overnight. Shorta thought they did. Seems like those geniuses are pretty fast at making insane stuff," Batwoman replied, looking around, getting a bad feeling noticing the cameras. "They know we're here."
"Well then, we should be getting a move on then, shall we?" Ryan replied. "Do you know where the security room is?"
"Luke does, speaking of which. Have you found it yet?" She asked.
"Yes, I have, giving you the location now!"
Alice watched the cams pleased to see her sister here but less so seeing Ryan with her. "Who is with Batwoman!" She exclaimed.
The thugs nearby shrugged. One spoke up. "She attacked Scarecrow at the hospital!" They realized remembering her.
"Oh, really? So what? She's got herself a sidekick? How insulting, bringing someone else to bring me, us down. Focus your fire on her, kill her. I want Batwoman saved for me. Think you can manage that?" She asked, turning to them.
The goons nodded their heads and left.
"Dear sister, trying to replace me. Funny of you to think, getting rid of me would end well for you. Should have learnt better by now!" She shouted to herself. "If they don't kill this replacement, then I shall."
She looked to the door again, seeing a goon secretly working for her drag a formulier face inside.
"Oh, Tommy!" Of course! I nearly forgot all about you!"
He looked confused by his surroundings.
"Hello? Anyone home?" She asked, confused.
The goon cleared their throat. "Seems like he's not all there, ms."
"Really? Why might that be?"
"I've heard ever since coming here on the transport something happened. He seemed to forget stuff, a lot for that matter," They expressed.
"Bruce, hush, hush. Need to remember, a demon!" He said wildly.
"Okay then. Seems like he's no use! Get me someone who could be useful! Please and thanks," Alice said politely.
They nodded and left.
"Is your head really scrambled eggs? Seems like quite the disappointment!"
"The bat haunts my dreams! The demons! They're coming for me! All around me!" He exclaimed at the top of his lungs, running away.
"Curiouser and curiouser. Whatever happened to you?" She wondered.
Elsewhere in the Asylum, the ones trapped inside had made up a defence and got close to the front doors. Before seeing a bunch of goons wearing gas masks, all waiting around there blocked it off tight.
"Commander, we've got a large force of criminals sitting in the front doors. If you blow your way inside of here, you could take out a lot of hostile forces!" She exclaimed.
"Alright, we need more time to prepare, just hold out a little-" The radio cut out. "What the heck?" She questioned.
"They're jamming us, must mean their closing in," Cash said, looking around defensively.
Proctor shook his head. "We can't sit here! We're sitting ducks! Let's move in and take those thugs out right now!" He exclaimed, making a divide in option.
"Could be a trap. I've seen scenarios like this," Julia pointed out.
"Really? We're sitting in a trap right now! From my perspective, we seem screwed no matter what happens now!" Proctor exclaimed.
"Alright, Mr. Cheerful, you need to calm down. Yelling isn't going to get us all out of this alive," Cash pointed out knowingly.
As they had a moment of silence, a small explosive was detonated, making a hole in a wall. This puts everyone on guard naturally. The crows gassed from earlier came out, still affected by the toxin. A couple goons had put shock collars on them and sent them out to bring down their force, it seemed. They all charged at them, seeming to not know what was real after all. Shooting wasn't going to work here.
Together, they bunched up and had to try restraining their comrades until support arrived. A few more, including Sophie and Cash, kept an eye out, expecting this to be discretion for something else.
Batwoman and Ryan got close to the security room, but nothing could ever be that easy. Goons came rushing at them, firing weirdly. Kate quickly realized they were targeting Ryan over herself and got in the way, taking the bullets. "Really am regretting not giving you more protection!" Kate exclaimed
"What do we do here!"
"Great question, get to cover, move with me. I'll disarm them, then we can beat them down old fashioned!" Batwoman expressed moving the young woman away from the open and turned back, tossing batarangs disarming most of them. Those who weren't got two swift kicks knocking the guns away.
"Clear!" She shouted, and Ryan sprung into action, taking down all the goons quite fast.
"Does this feel easy to you?" Ryan asked, looking at the defeated goons.
Batwoman nodded. "Agree, but important lesson, probably shouldn't comment about everything being too easy, I find things go wrong when that happens," She admitted entering the security room carefully. "All clear, now where has Alice gone. Or Scarecrow for that matter," Kate wondered. "Hey Luke, I'm at the security terminal. Now what?"
"Just put on that device I gave you. It should give me access to the systems in Arkham. At least for this building, which is enough."
After she did so, Kate checked the cams spotting Sophie's group under attack. "We need to help Sophie! Is this under control now?"
"Should be, go help Julia, Sophie and the rest!"
She nodded and left the room.
"From that tone, I'm guessing Sophie means something to you. More than friends, right?" She asked.
"Your right, we had a relationship, but that's in the past. She's with my other friend, Julia. Who slept with me, right before she got with her. That doesn't matter. They seem happy together. That's what matters. And save them," Batwoman said determinedly.
"Right, hate being in this building. Something about it gives me the creeps. Like something evil is always watching us, waiting to strike and drag us down to hell or something," Ryan said, feeling on edge.
"Arkham has that effect on you, don't worry, Ryan, I swear you'll get used to it. Just hang on and fight past it, maybe literally."
She nodded. "You have experience with the crazy here, even stopped two breakouts."
"Kinda three, that's a story for another time," Batwoman said, leading Ryan along.
The group was now being fired upon after subduing the gassed Crows.
"Sir! Commissioner Montoya! Someone respond!" Sophie shouted into the radio.
"We need to find that jammer!" Cash exclaimed.
"How!" She replied.
He shrugged and sighed.
Julia came over. "If you give covering fire, I could creep over there."
"No! It's too dangerous!" Sophie said, holding her free hand.
"Luv, I can take care of myself. Trust me. I'll get out of this alive. I'm hard to kill. Just give me covering fire!" She peeked out and went to move.
At the perfect time, Batwoman and Ryan showed up, unknown to them and the goons.
Batwoman got up high and picked off two goons from above, hanging them from oddly helpfully placed gargoyles. Before she could take out a third, they realized something was up. This didn't slow her down too much however, Kate managed to grab another unsuspecting goon into the dark corners in the room.
"What the hell is happening?" One asked.
"It's the bat, it's gotta be!" Another exclaimed.
Ryan wasn't going to let Batwoman take them all down. She crept up on knocking them out loudly, which was intentional. Kate knew it and did the same. Confusing the thugs, even more, all that gave Julia a chance to move in assisting, while keeping to their not killing rules. With the extra help, Ryan joined up with her and beat down many thugs a bit mercilessly.
"I've got a good guess of who you are," Julia remarked.
"Nice, glad to be on the same page with you, British lady," Ryan replied, forgetting her name.
"It's Julia, but don't mind the name. They've got a jammer. We should find it."
Ryan nodded. "Did you catch that, Batwoman?" She asked.
"Yep," Kate replied, knocking two thugs' heads together. "Should be all clear here in a minute."
"Got it, sounds good," Ryan replied gratefully.
As they started walking off, searching for the jammer, Julia had one last thing to say. "Hey, try to cut down on that brutality. Not a great look."
"Right, sorry," Ryan replied, not entirely genuine.
Batwoman approached Sophie.
"Good to have you all safe," She said, hiding her concern for Sophie's safety.
"Thank you, Batwoman, glad to have you here, think the outside help is just about to bust in, might want to get a move on," Sophie remarked.
That was correct as a few of the Crows still standing pulled their guns on her.
"You can't be serious! She just saved our lives!" Sophie exclaimed, standing in front of her.
"Get out of the way, agent. It's about time we bring her in!" Proctor exclaimed.
"Scarecrow could still be on the loose or Alice!" Cash jumped in.
Proctor shook his head. "Doesn't matter, backup is-"
Before he could finish his sentence, like expected, the charges blew the front open. What couldn't have been known as a trap, fear gas spread out all overreaching the cops and Crows outside who were not covered. It seemed like it was never-ending with how much had come out. Then, the ceiling above came crashing down onto the group. Batwoman leaped on top of Sophie, protecting her, but rubble still landed on them, both causing a fair amount of damage.
The building's front seemed to have collapsed, and now everyone in the vicinity was either injured or dead even.
"Batwoman! Batwoman, come in! What the bloody hell just happened! We just heard an explosion!" Julia cried into Batwoman's ears.
"Right, trap. Sophie," Batwoman replied, concerned, looking at her.
"Sophie? What's happened to Sophie?" Julia asked panicked.
"Dammit, her mask is broken. There's fear gas everywhere. I'm taking min-"
"No! Kate, I love her, but if you get gassed, you're guaranteed to get killed. Scarecrow and Alice are here. Just get her out safe!"
She sighed, looking at Sophie, starting to get affected by it. "Okay, okay. Just keep safe and keep an eye on Ryan. Don't let her near Crane," Batwoman said and picked up Sophie starting to bring her out. "Hold on," Kate said, trying to keep her calm. She looked around, seeing a bunch of injured unconscious people, or possibly dead. It was evident in her mind she'd have to hurry back and get as many people out as possible.
"Hello, Batwoman," Alice said with a large man beside her, both wearing gas masks and both standing in their way. "Looks like we've got ourselves a reunion! Me, you, Sophie and dear old commander Kane. If only Mary was here, sad."
Kate noticed her father and Montoya were among those affected by the attack. "Why are you doing this?" She asked furiously.
"How many times must I say it, you hurt me. All of you did. Now you hurt me even further, getting yourself a sidekick! You really must hate me."
Batwoman frowned, shaking her head. "I don't hate you, right now you have a chance to do the right thing like me and Sophie pass. Let me help those trapped inside. Let me give those people the cure. Do you really want to kill all these people? Be a pawn to Scarecrow's horrible plans? I know you have good inside you. Just let it out."
Alice scoffed. "Please, I got him back in Gotham. This is all part of my plan! In theory, of course, I didn't know the plan. Let him do all that thinking."
Batwoman laughed slightly.
"What? Why are you laughing? I should be the one finding this fun!"
"Oh, really? I think you're being played. This must have taken time to plan out! Something tells me he or someone else is manipulating you. I know you'd never be a part of something so calculated, and where did he get his army?" Kate questioned
"No, no. You're wrong!" Alice shouted. "Aaron Helzinger, he's a new friend I made. Kill the woman in her arms and bring me a broken-bat!" She stepped away, walking off toward Jacob Kane.
"Crap," Batwoman remarked, seeing the massive brute come towards them. She made a run for it, carrying Sophie in her arms. Good thing, I've been lifting weights! She thought, not sure how long she could hold onto Sophie, who was unconscious.
Ryan and Julia were following a signal Luke had picked up, knowing more backup couldn't arrive until those jammers were dealt with.
"I'm worried about Kate. What if she's hurt?" Ryan asked.
"I know her well. She's one of the toughest people you'll find. Not to mention, I think that suit could take a heck of a lot of punishment before trouble would arise."
"What about that, Sophie person? You seem to care a lot about her. Both of you do."
Julia sighed. "They're both tough. And Kate's got a cure, if she gets her outside, should be fine. I'm positive she would've asked for help if she needed it. Now please, no offence. Stop trying to worry me," Julia remarked.
Ryan nodded, looking away. "Just, I don't wanna let her down. Or anyone. Letting people die when I could've been helpful is kinda a big thing for me. Feel like crap."
"Fair enough. The three of us have seen some interesting things in our lives. It's different for people who haven't really been in life or death situations, I'd guess."
"Hey, I've seen some things. I'll admit, I had a lucky life compared to others. Just, I'm used to losing people I care about, alright. Hurts every time. Just don't want any of you on that list. It seems like your good people. Better than most I've been lined with. The best influences in my life were my mom and caretaker while I was in an orphanage. Both of them are gone now."
Julia frowned. "Sorry to hear that."
"It happens what my life consists of. Anyway, are we close yet? Does this place give you the creeps too? Cause I feel like it's haunted."
"Yeah, something does seem pretty, off, about this place. And it says we're nearly on top of it, weird," Julia said.
"Why's that weird?"
"Because you have entered a trap, I fear." A distant voice began saying sinisterly.
Julia pulled her gun, spinning to look for the voice.
"It's Scarecrow," Ryan said coldly.
"Of course, where is he?" She asked, looking around.
The fog started to enter the room.
"Oh, crap."
Before they could figure out what was happening, Scarecrow appeared in person with his scythe swinging at them. Ryan kicked him back.
"He must have the jammer on him!" Julia exclaimed.
"We can take him!" Ryan replied.
"Are you so sure?" He asked, hiding in the fog now surrounding them.
Outside, Alice had approached her father going down to his level. He was now on the ground, trying to keep himself calm, feeling the effects of the gas hitting him hard.
"Oh, daddy, you seem to be having quite an issue!" She expressed and kicked him.
"You're not really here. It's in my head," Kane replied.
She smirked. "Am I? Guess you never could see your own daughter standing in front of you, huh? Always a little issue, if you don't need your eyes, maybe I should cut them out?" She suggested, not being serious.
He pulled his gun on her. "Should end this. Stop you from hurting anyone else! I-I see Kate dead, Mary, everyone. Should've killed you a long time ago!" He exclaimed, now seeing the bodies of loved ones surrounding Alice.
"Come on now, if anyone is going to kill Kate, it's going to be you," Alice said coldly and knocked his gun away.
She then moved out of the way of a gunshot going right for her. Turning around, it was Montoya fighting heavily against the toxin.
"Nice try! I've got somewhat of a sixth sense when avoiding death!" She expressed and used her father as a shield grabbing onto him.
"Put him down!"
"You seem quite calm, commissioner!" Alice exclaimed, surprised.
"Had a cure, just in case of this happening," She replied.
"Unfortunate,"
Renee was smart and knew Alice was stalling. She dropped to the ground. Then dropped three goons with her gun who was creeping up.
Alice wasn't going to stick around. She took this time to stab her father in a safe enough spot and head back inside Arkham. She knew Montoya would help him and her officers over chasing her. Now, it was time to find where Batwoman went. She still desired some payback.
Speaking of Batwoman, she was still trying to protect Sophie and herself from the brute chasing after them.
"Luke! Luke, come in!" She exclaimed, trying to keep her voice down. "Come on! Julia? Ryan? Can someone answer me? Fine. Sophie, hold on. I have to put you down. Gotta handle that giant," She expressed, putting Sophie down gently against a wall.
She could only take a few steps, going to a corner when she was grabbed and thrown across the room they were in, falling onto a table. "Uch," Kate said, allowed getting back up, only to get met by the brute again, trying to hit her into the ground. Fortunately, he was slow. Batwoman was able to smack him in the face. Which really only hurt her more.
In response, he grabbed into her throat, lifting her into the air. Batwoman had to think fast and stabbed his arm with a Batarang. Didn't do very much, hardly seemed to phase him. "You remind me of another man I dealt with," Batwoman remarked, trying to struggle to break free.
The man didn't respond.
"You don't seem talkative. Seems like you forgot that woman said to leave me alive."
He seemed to realize she was correct and let her down, turning his sights to Sophie.
"Crap," Batwoman said and thought fast. She used her grappling hook and launched him up into the air stopping him for a moment. "Come on, Sophie, we need to go."
"Hold on, sis!" Alice exclaimed, creeping up on them, holding a gun aimed at Sophie.
"Stop this, Alice! Please! If you kill her, I'll never forgive you," Kate said genuinely.
Alice licked her tongue. "I've changed my mind, Kate. I don't want to kill either of you, know. Should be fun seeing what results that gas has on your dear Sophie!" She exclaimed as the brute came back down, ready to attack. "You hear that, my brainless friend, don't kill!"
Batwoman got ready to fight again but was running out of tactics. When starting to fight, she was overpowered as Alice attacked her from behind, grabbing Kate from behind.
"Aaron! Be a dear, wake up that woman!" Alice exclaimed.
He nodded and shook Sophie awake, who was immediately tariffed.
Alice approached her while Aaron pinned Batwoman. Was hard to admit, but he was far too strong for her. At least double her weight and standing nearly 7 feet tall.
"Sophie, Sophie, do I have questions for you!"
Meanwhile, Ryan and Julia continued fighting against Scarecrow, who was still hiding in the darkness.
"Show yourself, coward!" Ryan shouted.
He obliged, lunging at her trying to pull off her mask-like before.
"Not this time!" She exclaimed and moved her face, then creaked him in the face-pulling off his mask now.
"No! No!" He exclaimed, trying to run. Ryan chased after him tackling him to the ground, starting to choke him out, unable to see anything really.
"Stop! This isn't what you really want!" Julia exclaimed.
"All I ever have dreamt of was strangling the life out of thi- Wait. No!" She let go. "It's not him. We've been played!"
Julia checked the man and found the jammer. "At least we got this. What was the point of sending a phony and giving up the jammer?" She wondered.
"Doesn't matter, we have to find him!" Ryan replied.
She shook her head. "Doubt he'd be around, likely all this was a discretion. Question is now, for what?"
Before they could think of an answer, Luke started speaking again. "You need to get to Kate right now! I've been listening to her situation all this time but couldn't get through to her! Alice has her and Sophie!" He exclaimed.
"Give us the location!" Julia shouted and looked determined at Ryan.
"Done!" He replied quickly.
Together they went off to help her as fast as possible.
Alice got right in Sophie's face. "I wonder what makes you afraid? Perhaps if I killed Kate Kane? Maybe that new love of yours? Something else more interesting?" She questioned, staring at her coldly. "Do you like yourself? Huh? Being closest so very long?"
"Stop!" Kate shouted, trying her best to break free furious.
Alice loved it. "Do you have any secrets you wouldn't want out? I know a secret of Batwoman. I'm sure you would just love to hear!"
"Sir, oh, god. If I knew what I've considered doing, he-" She stopped speaking, closing her mouth shut.
"Oh, interesting! Do tell!" Alice chirped, opening her mouth, literally, to keep speaking.
She cried. "I'm a mole for Montoya. At least, she asked me to be. He'll kill me if he knows and Julia too. And Kate wouldn't forgive me," Sophie kept panicking, unable to stop fearing Jacob appearing and hearing this all doing something horrible or even Kate hurting her for this betrayal.
"That's it? Your scared of exposing my father's incompetence? That's pathetic!" She exclaimed, laughing.
"Don't listen to her, Sophie! You're a good person! They would forgive you!" She shouted at her, trying to get through to her. Knowing any positive reinforcement would be good, even if she would forget it after being given the cure and possibly hearing Kate's voice.
Alice shook her head. "What do you think, Batwoman? Maybe sharing another secret is in order, Aaron! Pick her up! I want to pull off that mask myself!" She exclaimed excitedly with her plans approaching closely. Still, it wasn't to be as Ryan and Julia arrived, giving Alice a warning shot.
"Move and pay the price!" Julia said.
Alice frowned and ran off once more while the massive brute shielded her escape.
Julia shot at his knees, but it didn't seem to affect him very much. Batwoman jumped on his back, and Ryan helped out going in for the attack too. All three of them began attacking at once. This overwhelmed him, making the giant man fall over. With him defeated, Kate pulled off his gas mask and gave it to Sophie, along with the cure for the toxin. "Your okay now," Kate said softly.
She turned to Julia. "We're going to need to talk about this whole being a mole for Montoya thing."
"Yeah, figured having that exposed would be one of her fears. Alright, we'll talk later about it," Julia replied.
Kate and Ryan walked off, heading back towards the front, checking on how everything was doing.
Outside, commissioner Montoya was curing all her officers first with antidotes for the toxin. It was fortunate they were prepared for this.
Batwoman and Ryan were helping bring out injured from the Asylum. This included agent Proctor who was out cold, and Aaron Cash, who was just slightly hurt.
"Thank you for the assistance, Batwoman and others?"
"She doesn't have a codename yet, but I feel like we're going to be partners from here on out," Kate remarked, which made Ryan smile a little.
"Let me guess, Scarecrow is in the wind again? Same with Alice?"
Batwoman frowned and nodded. "Can't understand why he'd go through all this. Just for revenge on Arkham for holding him?"
"Here's the thing, Batwoman, he's not been held for 5 years. Seems like way too long until striking. We gotta be missing something. Could have been triggered by something or someone. Alice?"
Kate thought about that. "No, Alice seemed not like she was in control of this. I've fought her enough to realize that. I think you're correct Montoya, something else is going on." She then glanced over to her father, who was now just injected with the cure.
"Think we have to go. Thank you for turning on the bat signal, by the way,"
Ryan smiled awkwardly at Montoya, and the two women left on Kate's bike. "It's stupid, but she's kinda hot," Ryan admitted to Kate. Think about Whisper, think about Whisper," She then told herself.
"Something tells me I've got a better chance," Kate replied semi sarcitacily and cleared her throat. "Speaking of Whisper, you tell her you're safe."
"Yeah, that's true. Just feel like a massive jerk right now. Can't tell her about this."
"I haven't told Sophie," Kate replied, trying to make her feel better.
"And you two aren't together. She's with your friend, no offence."
Kate sighed. "Your right. My lying to Sophie stops my chances of being with her. Feel like I've officially burnt that bridge. Maybe it's for the best. We're still on descent terms, friends at least."
"Sucks, you can't be with her. I'm sorry."
"Just how it is," Batwoman replied sadly.
"Alright, I wanna come back to the cave with you, then I'll go see Whisper in person. Just got a feeling like we'll see Scarecrow again tonight, and I wanna get him so bad."
Batwoman nodded. "I get that, feel that way concerning Alice. Just want to bring her in more than anything lately. I'm just going to drop you off close to your place. You should take a break tonight."
"Yeah, your right," Ryan replied, not wanting to disagree with Kate.
Alice escaped the asylum, quite upset about how everything went down. Her plans were in ruins once again, and she now had to meet back up with the baghead. They're met up spot was quite a distance in an alleyway. Her loyal people weren't around, trying to make their own escapes or were caught.
"Hey, did this happen! I can't believe now I've worked with two imbeciles who couldn't help me achieve my goals!" She exclaimed, approaching Scarecrow, who was standing in a dark shadow, seemingly alone.
"Sometimes plans work, sometimes not. For me, it's worked wonders, testing my formula and showing off my usefulness. Gotham is now on edge, a little distracted even!" Crane replied, creepily cheerfully.
"How can you pag this a win?!"
He laughed. "It was only a loss for you. Which was rather unfortunate. If you managed to break or even kill Batwoman, that would've been fantastic. A cherry on top, but she'll kill Batwoman soon enough, along with her helpers."
Alice was confused. "Her? Who's her?"
"Why a member of our mutual friends, of course!" He exclaimed, smirking sinisterly.
"We have no mutual friends."
He shook his head. "Really? Not ones with many arms?"
Her face turned hot red with anger, and pulled her knife. "What! Did! You! Do!" She shouted.
Scarecrow looked smug. "You enjoy that knife. I heard you were taught quite a bit from them regarding that weapon. And just for the record, I've done nothing. A minor coincidence, that's paying off in my favour, along with there's, of course."
A knife was tossed and Alice, making her move away, getting grabbed now from behind.
"Hello, fallen Alice." A woman declared empty with her delivery.
"Oh, Knife, as cheerful as always! Where's Rifle?"
"Dead."
She fake frowned. "How tragic. Was he a replacement? Wouldn't expect him to work well with rifles!" She exclaimed, looking at Crane mockingly.
"No. Among their ranks, I'm The Needle. Not my preferred name, but less identifiable than Scarecrow. Good for staying under the radar!"
Alice sighed profoundly and was holding back her anger. "Where is she?"
"Busy, she's got other more important matters to attend to. Rest assured, this is a warning. She'll see you soon enough, until then. You will lay low,"
She scoffed. "Why would I listen to you? Not like you're going to kill me!"
"She's got plans, ones that will deal with all your problems. We've waited long enough, and if you want that revenge of yours, behaving is your only option."
Alice was let go and dropped onto the filthy ground.
Knife and the rest of the unseen people around left, apart from Scarecrow. "I truly am sorry about all this, but you must understand. Not listening to Safiyah is a grave mistake. Do remember that, dear." Scarecrow now walked off, leaving Alice alone as the rain started to come down.
She was unsure of how to proceed. Having her, meant a lot of old parts of her life would resurface. Details she'd want to forget. Along with knowing what kind of a threat she posed, everything she had planned was now into question. It seemed impossible, but Safiyah was here.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, don't expect too much Scarecrow from now on, time for the real villain to shine. Hopefully, it will be great. I have high hopes for making her stand out as a unique threat.
I did want to mention that I apologize if this chapter got a little creepy or too much physiological explanation. I'm trying to stay away from physiological stuff. Felt like that dragged down my other series with Sophie. Scarecrow brings out that itch, and I admit, would've loved to do more but didn't want to double down on it. Sorry to disappoint if at all. I'll suspect I didn't. Hopefully, now I'm getting away from all that, should be approving for the series or going on a bigger high. Idk. Maybe I'm tired and overthinking. I'm good at that.
It didn't occur to me there are two characters named Aaron...Sorry if that confused anyone. That "brute" was said to be used during season 2, for some reason, so I figured now would be an excellent chance to just chuck him into the craziness in Arkham.
In Response To CG
Wanted to give a massive apology for leaving out the Vesper Fairchild part without an explanation. I realized shortly after posting, and I feel quite stupidly bad about that. I meant to add it in, but I guess it worked here. Hoping that it did work out, and I'm sorry again for forgetting.
Also, I'm positive you would've done a fantastic job with giving her talk segment a go again. Hoping I did a decent job, don't feel like I did. Tried to take inspiration from your last one.
Damian Wayne mentioning – Alright, I will figure that out! I'm thinking right now likely will be the same age. Of course, as I get closer to bringing them up, that might change.
Crossovers – Alright, will do.
Season 2 plan for Safiyah – I think that's fair thinking. I expected you to mention that it is quite similar to that whole plotline, which I shouldn't do for that alone. After more thought, I'm not going to do that. (Which is also due as you mention season 2 finale) Along with that, I was already thinking it was likely to earlier make Ryan have to work solo. (That's kinda redundant too with season 2 finale) Overall, best to cut that all out. I'll have to agree with your opinion, and was thinking whether I should have Kate know Safiyah before or not. It's exciting thinking she missed seeing Alice during that period too. I think I could manage that happening. Do you have any thoughts with what's the deal with the Many Arms of Death? Like is Safiyah a member, or are they an annoyance to her? Does she work with them but wants to destroy them from the inside? Or want to take over? Just curious. (Sorry for all the questions) I kinda might have messed up by saying Scarecrow has a connection with them, depending on your thinking. My thought process there was to connect him more into Safiyah's plotline, which will come back up during the back-half, along with Ryan's hate for him. He's not really a member officially, guess like Alice where they don't really want him. They do let him again now and possibly other times in the past if that ever comes up.
The Season Idea Loosely Based on "Batman: The Telltale Series" – That's pretty much what I thought as you first mentioned it. I'm still a little on the fence about having those three in the same season, doing a similar plot to that game. Unless I misunderstand. I'm open to thinking about it, won't happen in the next two seasons, so still, some time to think on both our parts.
Alternate Universe Damian – That is fair, I admit, kinda unsure how to feel about it myself. I could perhaps try and do both? Normal Damian and one from another universe? Depends how long this goes, I guess. I feel like you're correct in your thinking of when Bruce had Damian, just still not too sure how to fit him in, I guess.
PS. Yes, I'm sorry for sharing that. I know that doesn't really matter. I was just and still am quite nervous for her, which made me want to express my feelings as I don't really have any sources. Sorry again. (I have heard from her since posting, actually a few hours after I did, she's just struggling heavily mentally) To answer you, it's a little complicated to hear from her. We're long distant friends, I've never met her in person sadly, one day we hope to very much. So I'm entirely unaware of how-to content her besides the way we do. It's never happened where she's vanished without explanation like this before. She's a little younger than me and suffers from clinical depression, along with massive anxiety from past trauma, on top of her general stress. I suffer from anxiety heavily like her, and another issue, which is how we met, knowing someone online only is quite challenging in this regard. All I know about her is, she has only her grandparents and no active friends besides myself. Thank you very much for your kind words. I've been trying hard to not give into. Quite hard, sometimes having no real way of being there for her despite wishing every day I did. Quite frankly, I'm deeply in love with her, and I know she feels the same, even if it's harder for her. I'm thankfully again for your kind and hopefully words. I'll try to make this the last personal information shared if you would prefer, which I'd completely understand. This is just a Batwoman story, after all, and doesn't want to push comfort levels. (And other people might read this to, which I don't really care about currently)
Moving back to answering your story questions, suggestions and thoughts.
Clarification on Ryan's age when her mom died – Nice place to get the idea from. (I miss Heroes ): ) I wish I went with that. I'll have to double-check how I worded Ryan thinking about her mother's death. Could still fit that in to be clear.
Scarecrow's Role – I feel like I could manage to fit that in perfectly fine. I'm assuming you mean gassing Gotham in fear? Or am I forgetting something?
More Stuff To Add For The "Three Ghosts of Batwoman" – I appreciate you coming up with a name! I'll likely use that one. I like it. I'm not sure of who those actresses are. Perhaps I'm too young. I'll do searches on them to pick a choice. I've got no other options in mind, so I'll for sure go with yours!
I like that design choice with the braid. Not sure why, but like that touch. I'll be sure to mention it during her description. Oh, that's interesting. The Dark Multiverse is such a fascinating concept, never thought of using it for some reason here. Happy, you mentioned it. I wasn't sure if it would be overboard. Perhaps a final season threat or something?
I'm happy leaving Bat-Soldier alive and giving an ambiguous state to her future in the end. Might like giving her a redemption arc or something, doesn't seem like she's a bad person at heart.
Happy and leaving Bat-Beast's fate unclear, she seems like a tough one to get rid of permanently even with everyone working together. Perhaps might return one day.
Figure Bat-Demon would have to die. She seems fair to dangerous and evil. I like very much how even with her "dead," they'd still feel unsure, suspecting a greater evil. Again, excited by the prospect of the Dark Multiverse coming into play one day.
I was wondering about where their name would come from. That makes sense. Guess it would be them who she'd have seen, along with things. Interested in how she'll learn about that experience once again.
In regards to the orphanage that Ryan lives in – That's an excellent question. I must admit, I don't have a clear, precise picture in my mind. Most places I visualize generally look similar and not very unique, sadly. I'll accept your visualization of it, despite not seeing that film. Have heard of it and might go search up clips to get a better idea. Thank you for mentioning that.
Batman vs. Joker Final Battle Aftermath Theory In Regards to the People – I think that's a pretty clear explanation. I'll go with that. Basically, I had the same thinking too.
Another possible/likely factor to Batman's departure – I think I'll likely include it. Guess that his speech would come true after all, quite tragic how Joker wins. Oh well, perhaps with Kate and her putting together/back together with the bat family, things could turn around.
Batman Training the Robins – I must admit, I love the Arkham games. Still, having Asylum and City, I guess, take place during this eighty or ninety year seems a little stretched thin. Kinda the same with new 52, I think, tho I'm reasonably sure a plot point in rebirth was how there was lost time. Whatever, I guess I'd accept training his three Robins over 11 or 12 years for this universe. My thinking is he might have started in 2000 or 1999 and gone for a total of 15 years. Just my thought. I do get your thinking. Just always rubbed me the wrong way.
Harper Row's Brother – Alright, I'll do with that. Thank you as always for the help with finding people for the roles.
How Jacob Kane's Hatred for Batwoman gradually reaches its climax by the time of the Season 2 finale – Can for sure see that. I was kinda trying to set that up by Batwoman being more beneficial working with GCPD then everything the Crows have done. Must make him quite upset how much one person has done for Gotham.
PS I. It was an interesting enough ending to the story. Didn't see that last part coming. All those reveals kinda change things. I'm a bit doubtful it'll be necessary again, being "black label." Still, it was good for what it was, I guess.
PS II. I like all of your explanations for why she'd turn against her, like a lot how it's multiple things that make her change her mind to help. It's nice.
PS III. That's a good and kinda funny point. I'll definitely bring that up once the three of them are working together!
PS IV. Oh, I never knew that, must have missed that part of the comics, whoops. Interesting nevertheless. I think maybe she could show up, and I'm not familiar with how she is in the comics, I'll read up on her! I wasn't aware of that either. Guess I'm missing bits and pieces. Hopefully, that will come true. I think Damian is already in need of saving as he's seemed to have gone down a dark path lately.
How the apparent Death of Batwoman should play out – That's an exciting and stressful way to have that go down. Can understand why Kate would want things to go well, at least after defeating Safiyah. Like how Ryan's shield isn't safe, good choice and makes sense. Along with luring Batwoman to the bridge so she can't escape, and it's more dramatic like that too. This will all for sure, happen!
How Jacob Kane's Season 2 Finale Cliffhanger Should Work Out – That's all fantastic, I don't really have much to say besides that, and I'll use all of it too. My only question (which doesn't need to be answered now as it's a season 3 thing) who would take over for Jacob, and what would that mean possibly for Gotham? Also, I imagine he'll come back into leadership after the new leader goes crazy or is dangerous for Gotham's safety idk. Just curious. You seemed to hint towards something like that? I might be seeing something that isn't there, of course.
How Alice's Season 2 Finale Cliffhanger Should Work Out – I love her cliffhanger, it's one of your best suggestions, yet I feel. It's truly perfect and will be there in full. Happy to go forward with that angle.
PS. I liked the old one, but I admit I enjoy this new one more. Completely agree with your thinking regarding the change. That's an interesting person to find her, and makes sense for giving her an introduction. Just curious, how does she find her? I guess to be clearer why Kate is with her for so long? Think she's pretty injured? What are they up to and etc? I'm sorry for all the questions. I do think that's a great idea, sure it'll become clearer once getting to writing season 3, or close to season 3 anyways. Can agree with giving her a recurring role, along with her brother, perhaps only for season 3. Feel like season 3 might be busy enough, maybe. We'll see like her becoming Blue Bird in 4 more, so agreement. I'll try and do that for her portrayed, figured to leave out the more extreme parts of Chole. It was good and left a special place in my heart despite its flaws. Like the ending, I guess. It does kinda suck how the choices didn't really matter in the end. Always felt personally it was to show how uncontrollable life is ultimately even with her powers. (Tho, it was likely the budget cuts or something in reality and me trying to justify the kinda copout with all choices matter)
PS II. Okay, I can try managing that. I never knew that, interesting. Kinda wish they did more 90 min finales. Stupid question, is this all one chapter? Or a part 1/part 2?
Your Summary was pretty much dead on with my thinking. I used it for the above Summary. Thank you.
Tentative Season 3 Overview Idea:
Okay, I'll likely start giving hints/ideas soon enough. I've already got a bunch that I'm curious about your thoughts on. I think your rough draft is perfectly fine for not knowing much about the direction of season 3, as season 2 isn't over. You're correct with everything said, and I like it all. Pretty much thought the same with starting off season 3. Just curious, do you have any villain ideas? I've got one already that should work with whatever ends up happening in season 3.
NOTE: That's true. I figured as much. My thought was season 2 would end in 2021. Thank you for clarifying anyways. Again, thank you for making clear it's a rough draft. It likely will be the final one for starting off season 3, never know. I appreciate it.
Look forward to the future and dealing with season 2's plot, of course. Still have a few surprises, possibly. Just don't wanna hype up those too much, might be overselling it with the word choice of "surprise." Just unsure of a better word.
Reasoning for Wanting Stephanie Brown's Inclusion into story:
#1 Like how she'd worship Batgirl like Ryan does Batwoman, it seems like a great way of approaching it!
#2 That makes a good amount of sense. I'll for sure do that. I'll be happy making her Spoiler, to begin with.
#3 I figured that would come up. Would her father appear in your mind? I guess Ryan's at some point too? Like how the three young women would bond over their similarities. (They will be, I can agree)
#4 That's quite interesting. I'll for sure have her become Batgirl like that. A neat way of handling her becoming Batgirl. Leaves a lot of exciting potentials, too, going forward from there! I like combining those suits together, a good idea.
#5 Alright, I'll have her use that.
Suggestions for Safiyah Sohail:
#1 Those are good ideas. I'll for sure use them all. I'm interested if you have any thoughts of how Kate met her/how that should go and if there would be flashbacks? (I like how she gives Kate a lesson or two. Interested to think about what that could be) I'm still thinking of how she'd meet Alice. My current thought would be meeting her perhaps sometime after escaping her "home," then going down a darker path in part due to Safiyah, maybe not internally. Idk. Like as well how Kate and Alice missed each other, tempted to make it a part of Safiyah manipulating them even in the past? Not sure how you would feel about that. Still, I'll leave it in even if it's a coincidence.
#2 That makes sense and does work still for how I thought of Alice/Safiyah's relationship.
#3 I can see that happening, interested in making that work. Also, interested in Kate finding a bunch of Bruce's cold cases. Seems fun and could lead to her perhaps dealing with some cases he never cleared up. Like his parents' murder, for one example, I still remember you mentioned. Still plan to deal with it one day.
#4 That is a good thought. I do see how that would make sense. It does seem like it was implied in the series. Correct me if I'm wrong. Julia might have already been kinda chasing a lead to The Many Arms of Death or even Safiyah herself? It seemed like that cause she was after that "The Rifle" guy already and apparently killed him off-screen after tracking him down. I assume Safiyah must have gotten to her somehow. One reader had an idea that I'll mention again later. Anyways, it seemed like she was being sketchy and is working for Safiyah, not willing, of course. Wouldn't it be possible she got Julia to reveal Kate's Batwoman? Or connect dots? Idk, just wondering, I guess. A lot wasn't clear. I'm sure it would've been better teased if season 1 ended like it was meant to. Oh well, I hope what I said/asked here made sense.
#5 I can see that happening. Do you have any names in mind? (I was actually doing that exact thing in the Sophie series) My thought was to have Kate and Alice deal with her for a bit anyways, on their own. So that works (: Still thinking of what ultimatum could be given, joining her or being with her is all I can think of really sadly. I'm sure you have a better idea, definitely won't have Kate kidnapped. Curious, too if you have any thoughts on what she might do to show how serious she is? Perhaps an attack on Gotham or one of the characters? I'm not sure currently. The rest sounds good, too, thank you.
#6: I've got a couple thoughts about her "endgame." Should I share them? Or do you have any thoughts? I'll surely do that, not 100% sure who Kate will go with, but Julia is a great choice.
#7 I'll definitely be doing that. Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions.
Thank you for giving the heads up about the glitch going on with Fanfic. I noticed it after you mentioned it. Hopefully, that won't happen again. It was super strange. Glad I did post chapter 7 when I did!
Alice's story arc from Season 3 onwards (in brief summary form) –
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I appreciate it a ton, as always. I'll try my best to give good opinions. I've thought quite a bit about that topic as well.
I like all of what you had to share here. It's pretty nice. I, unfortunately, do have at least one biggish but. Sorry. I can 100% agree with everything in season 3 and likely will expend it once getting there. I like it a lot.
When it comes to Beth revealing to have a tumour, I'm a little meh. Unless I'm completely misunderstanding, are you suggesting that the tumour created Alice? I just get that vibe off you saying once it's gone and a mindscape battle, it would be over for that. Idk could be completely wrong there, sorry. I think it's good overall, a pretty good twist of her being sick and the risk of reverting to a child-like state from the operation. I do think Alice 100% can't stay, and Beth will return to normal. Just not sure if that would be good timing for that or not. I'll try to keep "brief" why I feel like that. (I clearly don't understand the word brief, it would seem lol)
#1 I guess that wouldn't really be dragged out, and Alice would be dealt with during season 4, at last, having Beth be completely normal. Just not entirely sure what can be done with her after that besides joining team Batwoman, I guess. Still, by the point, it'll have Ryan, Harper and someone else who is kinda part of the team who joins the show in season 3, which is a whole other thing lol. Along with possible Stephanie in that season or 5 too. Along with everyone else, so I just don't want the team so big if that makes sense.
#2 I didn't want to say yet, as trying to focus on season 2, 3 and just some future stuff, but I did have a finale in mind for Beth's split personalities during season 5. It does still work with leaving in for now, at least that sickness plotline for her.
Maybe she could think his procedure would get rid of Alice once and for all. However, it awakens a third personality, one more dangerous than Alice, who would be the threat in season 5, taking control trying to block out the other two. Maybe unknown for a little to our heroes?
(Some thoughts on this other) #3 I guess one way of describing it would be like in Gotham, Jerome = Alice Jeremiah = Third personality (My current names in mind would be Red Queen or Queen Alice, idk) Like, Alice was just chaotic for the most part, with some possible signs of heart. The other would be a calculating mastermind who's more "sane" and trying different approaches with her nefarious goals. Like being more of a people person/minulater for getting helpers. Perhaps other vilians easier.
I thought the conclusion would be that Alice realizes this third one is a complete monster who must be stopped, so she works with Beth. Together they gain control again, but Alice sacrifices herself to keep the other contained so Beth can live the life they all wanted, deep down. Being with their family. It would be a bittersweet send-off to Alice once and for all. Of course, Beth would have to deal with the fallout in season 6+ from her others actions and just trauma still inside her, which created those personalities. She'd get through it with her family and friends with love and support. I want her to have a happy ending. She deserves it.
#4 Closing my thoughts can leave room for everything you suggested. I'm sorry for giving a bit of a different take overall, I guess from yours. Not sure how you feel about it. I've thought quite hard about it for weeks now.
PS. Thank you for letting me know. I hope dearly it goes well. It must be interesting having a new alarm system after so long. Hope too it works as well as it should for a newer one, I guess. Never had one, so don't know, lol. Thank you again. Best wishes with that going as it should. (Might have already happened at time of posting this, I suspect)
Thank you for sharing that about that video. I didn't know any of that. Quite interesting. I'll try my best to make Ryan fight like him. Sadly I'm not the best at describing fights or really stuff in general. Hopefully, I'll improve, I guess, just like Ryan with her fighting lol. It's perfectly fine how much you have posted, quite frankly, (sorry, I remember I was going to cut down on personal info, but I can't help it sometimes) I've been feeling pretty lonely and hopeless 24/7 pretty much. Genuinely, at this point in my life, writing this story and responding to you is like the best and most consistent thing in my life. Really feeling heavy, like I don't matter, so this really feels like the only positive impact I'm making. So please, post as much as you want. I really don't mind. Just feel bad about myself taking 2 weeks, maybe even 3 in the future, to respond. So basically, what I'm over complicatedly saying is, you have nothing to apologize for, promise. No trouble to me in the slightest. (:Hope you are well.
For everyone else, thank you all for reading as always and the nice comments/reviews. Hope you're enjoying the story, still a lot more to come. Best wishes to you all.