0fsteel

[0fsteel]

The way I run this blog's canon compared to @thenten's is very, incredibly different. Whereas with Ben I have a very consistent "every interaction is one canon" blog strategy, and almost always opt for crossover interactions being multiversal in nature, with Clark I take the direct opposite route- the canon on this blog is very fluid.

Clark's canon may change between different partners, with my favorite example being Krypton's reason for destruction: if I was interacting with a Steven Universe muse, as an example, it's destruction could've been caused by the Diamonds, whereas interacting with a Marvel muse, it could be Galactus.

I almost always default to muses being of a shared universe with one another with Clark, as he doesn't come with nearly as many complications to a canon as Ben does when it comes to requirements to exist. All Clark has to add to a canon is Smallville, Metropolis, Krypton, and himself- as well as any other DC character that I feel wouldn't be disruptive. It's much more manageable.

And in doing shared verses, I like to mix up Clark's canon a bit to build him more "into" the worlds I'm crossing him over with. I just think it's neat.

[0fsteel]

There was practically a sparkle in the Kryptonian's blue eyes as the other explained the remarkable device's functions, about how it could not only preserves a species, but restore them- a prospect that seemed to strike a particular emotional cord in him.

Even now, he could peer into it, multiple layers of superior vision peeling back the device, seeing the hundreds of thousands of unique DNA samples held within, absolutely in awe of it's craftsmanship.

"There's nothing quite like that in this universe." He responded, clearly taken to the subject, before his brow furrows. "Or, well... there's someone, with a superficially similar goal, but worse means." Thoughts went briefly to the bottled city stored with the Fortress, and a frown briefly crosses his otherwise pristine features.

He's quick enough to recover in front of a guest, however, with the red flash bringing his attention back to the present.

"My hospitality has no limits for those truly in need." Clark affirmed, now much for pleasant than when he'd simply been coming across an intruder. "I will be happy to house you as long as it takes to get you home, and you'll find that the Fortress will more than provide."

With a snap of his fingers, one of the androids from earlier makes their way in and, with a hand gesture that would be interpreted by the Ultimatrix as a form of affirmation, the robot's eyes glow as it scans the faux-human, nodding with acknowledgement to both of them before turning and making it's leave.

"Security here will now recognize your access to the appropriate facilities, this one included." He said, facing down to Albedo properly and offering a hand to shake. "As a now formal welcoming to the Fortress- my name is Kal-El, of Krypton and Earth.

The other's altruistic mindset had already begun to become clear to Albedo, only furthered when he came to one of the genuine reasons the Omnimatrix existed in the first place. Albedo themselves had to admit, of course, that the usage was a good one. There was nothing wrong with Azmuth's device, no, only the man himself was what the Galvan had an issue with.

"Indeed, even in the worst case scenarios: so long as an Omnimatrix survived, one could theoretically jumpstart a species back into existence. Something that, in fact, it did at one stage, I believe." The exact reasoning for the return of the Petrosapiens' home planet, but it could be deduced.

"Theoretically, it can store an infinite number of unique genetic codes within it. There are undoubtedly more than even I could find in my vast lifetime already stored in it, and potentially more to come." It's said all while they haven't so much as looked up from their work. While all of this was an (unfortunately) unbelievable technological marvel to most, it truly has become somewhat of a norm in her universe.

"It even possesses functions to allow a genetic cleansing of DNA should altering of said DNA be endangering a species' well-being. Vice versa, if one wished for genetic diversity, I suppose."

Finally, reluctantly, they reached back and gave a final little 'flash' that reverted them back to their humanoid form, fiddling with said device with a scowl.

"It will take time to pinpoint the exact coordinates of my universe, unfortunately, but I can automate the process."

Currently, they're comparing the code of the primary Phantom Zone Projector to what's on the Ultimatrix, humming in thought.. before clearly finding what they were looking for as they isolate identical points inside of it. Something that could undoubtedly be linked back to coordinates to their home universe with some effort.

"I would hate to test the limits of your hospitality, but I must confess the process's length is beyond my knowledge. I could be here for a day, a week, or however much longer it takes. Unfortunately, as woe as I am to admit it, even if I can write the code, I have no idea how to optimize it and ergo no estimate of how long it may take."

[0fsteel]

It's him. Superman.

[0fsteel]

Clark was just setting away the last bits of shielded Kryptonite into lead-lined containers when the other began to speak, looking over his shoulder to listen to the rather thorough explanation for something that had gone unasked about, but Clark would certainly be lying if he said he wasn't still incredibly interested in it regardless.

And what a thing it was to turn an ear to- a genetic library cataloguing sapient life across an entire universe, allowing the user to become them at will, take a walk in their shoes. The scientific potential was certainly massive, but the means of facilitating peace and understand between species was even more so to him.

The evolutionary function of the other's specific model was also admittedly interesting, but less so than the potential uses for such a device that were immediately coming to his mind.

"It's like an ark of your universe's people..." He muttered back in a bit of awe, staring at the device on the Galvan's back. "All those species preserved in it's own way, even if apocalypse were to strike."

The prospect clearly impressed him the most, even if the stated features were no less grand in themselves. Ensuring species and their impact on the universe were not simply left to disappear quietly and be forgotten was a matter important to him, quite obviously.

Albedo carried the devices with ease as they followed behind Clark, glancing at the robots that had been on the other side of the door. Certainly acceptable craftsmanship, they had to admit, scanning over them while following behind him. All bearing the same symbol on their chest. Something that could have been mistaken for an 'S' had she been from Earth. Though, clearly, it had to mean something else given the other's own clear alien origins. Something to prod at later, though, as his attention is more focused on absorbing everything he could about this location.

Certainly nothing to scoff at, even with his Galvanic pride to wrestle. Impressive for any other species, then, especially one residing on Earth. Albedo barely having time to process the room itself before the Kryptonian was briskly setting everything up for them to work. Albedo not wasting any time in setting the devices down to examine, even as his hand raised up to touch the symbol again with another flash of red light.

An amorphous black blob with dark green and red marking appearing, smoothing out into a more humanoid shape before simply placing a hand on one of the devices; flowing over it like liquid before it is swiftly done to the rest. Something that is done without explanation before another flash returned him to that amphibious Galvan form to actually get to work on the devices.

"It's called an Omnimatrix," he explained, to a question that had gone unsaid. "It is a genetic library of intergalactic species made to facilitate better communication and understanding of other species' life. It has a collection of over a million species in the known universe-- the universe I reside in, that is."

They're explaining all of this without glancing up from their work, using the tools meant for a larger being without much hassle. Something a Galvan that goes off-world has to quickly adapt to, after all. Most species tower over them.

"The specific model on my back is the Ultimatrix, an improvement of the original model." Albeit that has been reiterated over by now, something that he leaves pointedly unsaid. "A speculative tool to see what a species may look like after eons of evolution."

[0fsteel]

STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the 1999 film, adjust as necessary

you can't stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting.

i can only protect you. i cannot fight a war for you.

you almost got us killed!

the ability to speak does not make you intelligent.

are you sure about this?

i want that treaty signed.

it's impossible to locate the ship.

he will find your lost ship.

this is getting out of hand. now there are two of them.

may the force be with you.

at last we will have revenge.

they will be no match for you.

i will not condone a course of action that will lead us to war.

wipe them out. all of them.

i beg your pardon, but what do you mean "naked?"

are you an angel?

they're the most beautiful creatures in the universe.

you're a funny little boy.

how do you know so much?

i listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here.

you're a jedi knight, aren't you?

[name] says i should be mindful of the future.

be mindful of your feelings.

my place is here. my future is here.

tell them we wish to board at once.

i can't explain what happened.

there is no civility, only politics.

keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs.

this is your arena. i feel i must return to mine.

my fate will be no different to that of our people.

if we do not act quickly, all will be lost forever.

we are your humble servants. our fate is in your hands.

greed can be a very powerful ally.

what has that got to do with anything?

i sense much fear in you.

there's always a bigger fish.

no one can kill a jedi.

remember, concentrate on the moment.

feel, don't think. trust your instincts.

you said that the biggest problem in the universe is no one helps each other.

remember: your focus determines your reality.

why do i get the feeling that we've picked up another pathetic life form?

which one was destroyed, the master or the apprentice?

i'm a pilot, you know.

someday i'm going to fly away from this place.

i need something more real.

i don't have anything else.

no money, no parts, no deal!

they all sense it, why can't you?

don't do that again.

will i ever see you again?

what does your heart tell you?

i will come back and free you. i promise.

be brave and don't look back.

[0fsteel]

"Certain enough disrupt the dead for it..." Clark added, grimacing down at the invisibly disturbed graves with an obvious distaste for the act, hand propped beneath his chin as he tried to think what could be valuable enough to do such a thing for while ignoring the literal valuables the Cobblepots took to their graves.

Folded paperwork of some sort, like a will or bill of sale to one of their properties? Some password or a key? He doubted it was sentimental, or else the perpetrator would know exactly who to check...

Many questions still stormed in his head, but they weren't going to be answered here. That, and where to look next, were obvious.

"How do you wanna play that?" Clark asked, crossing his arms and looking away from the graves for now, hopefully not needing to ponder the resting dead again for a while. "Oswald is jumpy enough when you come knocking all by your lonesome. Not so sure how he'll react to Superman flying in to pay him a visit..."

Not that it couldn't still work out for them, if Cobblepot is feeling diplomatic, but it was certainly a bit of chaos to consider.

With that suspicion confirmed, and an unspoken sharing in the relief that his own family didn't seem to be involved, Bruce's eyes turn back to the name on the headstone again. Theodore Cobblepot. 19th century architect, steel magnate, and mayor. Played a prominent role in shaping the city's skyline. And now someone was rifling through his pockets, looking for something small enough to fit in there, something specific. A particular family heirloom? A key to some greater treasure?

"Then we're operating with a particular set of facts. A figure in white, capable of selective intangibility, was searching dead members of the Cobblepot family for something that can fit in a pocket. We can infer our culprit knows or believes what he's looking for was passed down through the family, but that they aren't certain when it would have been taken to the grave - just that it isn't in the possession of the living." He trusts that Clark has kept up, but speaking the words aloud gives him more time to mull over the facts. They at least knew that whoever they were looking for wasn't operating with a complete picture either, at least.

Bruce turns from the grave plot, turning his eyes towards the entrance of the old cemetery. They still need to follow up on the how aspect of this particular crime, but this was a much stronger lead than they came in with. "Regardless of whether Penguin is involved or ignorant, we're going to have to visit the Iceberg Lounge if we want any answers."

[0fsteel]

"That will be no problem- again, no urgent need for them. I can spare a weekend creating a new portable device if I need to." He affirmed, gathering the older projectors. "And the current models is yours to work with as well, since you don't plan on taking it apart. I can't exactly make good use of it until it's re-calibrated, anyhow."

The transformation he's met with upon turning around doesn't take him as much off-guard as the last one had, but still does blink in surprise at the crimson hulk that had now replaced the amphibious species. Clearly, those options he'd seen had been species.

He's able to put both it and the sudden change in vernacular to a more gruff voice aside, though, as he hands the devices off.

"I have a multi-purpose laboratory with one included, yes. It should cover your needs." Clark confirmed with a nod, before leading the way out from the section of the base the other had found themselves in- quite evidently one of the more secure parts, of the many-layered crystalline 'security door' that the Kryptonian had to open was any indication, or the armed robots waiting on the other end.

Clark waving them off with an odd hand-gesture that the Ultimatrix might've interpreted as 'alarm dismissed', the multitude of androids standing at ease and, with a unified salutation, dispersing... each one bearing the same symbol he wore on his own chest.

Them all returning to various duties as he floated the way through the facilities, leading Albedo to the laboratory; technology and sciences on display within certainly light years ahead of anything that should've been on Earth, but perfectly palatable to a Galvan.

The Kryptonian speedily flying about the room in a blur, putting some hazardous materials he'd been researching away as he did his own 'tidying' up for the other, activating a switch somewhere in the process for the engineering facilities, workshop included, to present themselves before he was finished (in a matter of blinks).

It was always Earth, wasn't it? It's a wonder this hunk of a rock managed to stay in one piece with all the dilemmas that face it. No doubt they had a trans-dimensional prison for a reason, after all. Something to note for later, though, as attention turned to the other's retrieval of similar devices from nearby storage. A good hop taking her from where they'd been to on the rim of one while she surveyed the machines.

"They'll suffice." She said, doing his best to not state that they'd already surmised they were on Earth from the gravitational pull and the like.

As much as he was wanting to show off his genius, he was just as aware that many found it grating when one.. overshares, as it were.

"So long as you're prepared to potentially lose it, as I'll need the parts to create a stabilized gateway back to my universe," he began, stroking chin. "I'll also need to commandeer the current model- solely for the sake of tracing back the signal, as otherwise I'd blindly be opening holes in the space-time continuum looking for the right spot in the entire Omniverse. I doubt that would be appreciated."

If it already was, frankly, but hopefully no cosmic enforcers would have caught wind of the brief blip that had brought Albedo here.

"Do you have a workstation? I'll have to have the proper equipment..." A pause, sizing Clark up. "Well, I'll make do, more likely. I understand few species, even in my home universe, cater to creatures of our short stature."

It's a lamenting that is said as he hopped back down, another flash instead turning them into a hulking red humanoid, holding four hands out for the devices. As if the sudden switch in species again was the least surprising thing in the universe. Truthfully, she was only using this form for it's much more convenient carrying capacity.

"C'mon," she said. "I'll be sure to tidy up any mess and replace the parts if you have any spares."

[0fsteel]

Hearing that everyone had survived the ordeal, even those that had been manipulated into the initiating the act, was a great relief to the Man of Steel's concerns. He'd done his best to contain the blast as best he could, but surely there would've still been plenty hurt or worse without Mighto's help, and that earned his gratitude.

The electromagnetic hum drew his ear's attention, Clark looking up in that direction as he lifted himself off the ground, already levitating with clear intent to pursue... but, her words stopped him.

The Man of Steel blinking down at her, both for the use of his real name and at the concern for his well-being. He could tell the worry was genuine, as odd as it was to feel such a thing directed at him, and it gave him enough pause to hear her offer out.

Slowly drifting back to his feet before her, relenting.

"Alright." He assured gently, hand patting her shoulder. "I'm sure my ma would appreciate me not coming home like this, anyhow."

Not even mentioning the fact that, with how much trouble the unseen force had already managed to cause, he very well might need all the strength he could get were he to go against it.

It was a 'normal' occurrence for the odd criminal syndicate or two to pull a stunt like setting up bombs against the county power station, even taking a hostage or a few, but this was more like a nightmare: The whole Metropolis city council, including the Mayor, and the fire department altogether had suddenly whipped into a combined frenzy, and worked together to take over the power station, take all the workers hostage, and modify the entire nuclear power plant to explode, far beyond its normal maximum capacity - with themselves in it! If it weren't for Clark's quick thinking to contain the explosion, the whole of Metropolis would have been wiped out and made into an exclusion zone.

As for any casualties...

"Everyone's safe and accounted for!" A beaming smile, a peace sign, and a heavy sigh of relief - she had appeared on the scene in the nick of time, having moved everyone out of the explosion quite literally as it was in motion. "The troublemakers are tied up outside, a little bit away, if you want them!"

But how could this have happened? Who could motivate this? Why? While this whole affair has been going down, the hum of electromagnetic radiation, above the senses of normal mortals, but within these super-people's range of hearing, had been sounding out, and continues even now. But that wasn't the biggest immediate concern - Superman was still hurt.

"Please don't force yourself, ok, Clark?" After the words left her mouth, she immediately reasoned that Superman wouldn't stand down while this great big job was left undone. "Or... at least let me try and heal you. I promise it won't take long, and it won't hurt even a bit."

[0fsteel]

The device on the other's wrist draws his attention as the other's focus went to it, raising a brow as the array of options was brought up and one was selected, before the sudden FLASH of crimson light made his eyes go wide and, somewhat unintentionally time slow down to his own perception by instinct.

He could see through that red flash just as easily as he could see through steel, but what he saw didn't make him any less confused than he would have been. A transformation that he could tell would have been instantaneous for just about anyone else, still nearly so even at his fastest mental processing... his enhanced perception only bringing it up from an instant to a matter of seconds.

The Kryptonian was nonetheless able to see more of it than most, and unfortunately that only served to let him pay witness to the the mind-boggling transfiguration, their species changing in it's entirety... to a 'Galvan', evident by their comments.

Their natural species certainly seeming to explain their intelligence and aptitude, with how easily he seemed to decipher it now.

Clark can only float there and watch with crossed arms as the other helped herself to examining the device, not really able to get a word as she rambled (nor did it seem she needed an answer from him).

"Certainly not in my home, no." The Man of Steel replies, making a mental note to re-calibrate the projector when he was done dealing with this current predicament, focusing instead on Albedo. "As for where you did end up... you're in the Fortress of Solitude, in Earth's arctic. I wouldn't recommend stepping outside- it's chilly."

Floating away, he checked through nearby containers, unveiling some smaller devices of similar functionality. "I have a few earlier models of the projector here that I no longer have urgent need of, if they'd help with making your way back home."

"It's the only device here that fits the bill, as they say," she began, approaching it as well now that Clark wasn't blocking her. "The Phantom Zone, you say?"

The question came as she fiddled with the device resting between palm and wrist, small display flickering into view over the strange symbol as she rotated through the options. A light press being the only thing warning of a bright red flash. The much, much smaller being walking over- briefly pausing as they glanced down to themselves.

"I briefly forget my species' stature now and then." She confessed, having to climb up to get a better look at the projector now.

"I take it this device's primary function is to connect with a dimension outside the standard space-time continuum, yes." Not a question, a statement. "It's entirely possible that, due to this nature being similar to that of the Null Void, it connected these dimensions in a brief overlap whilst a new universe was coming to fruition. The new branches of time can be a touch disruptive in their early growth phases, so I've heard."

She's not quite taking it apart yet, not even touching it as Albedo simply skims over the design. Mentally dissecting it without even touching the device. With their proper Galvan brain in this form, it's incredibly trivial to note the clear overlap between this and a Null Void Projector. Those of a higher make and model could no doubt accidentally form a synergy with this one; rendering a brief flicker of time in which she could have fallen through this rather than the correct dimension.

"I'll take solace I simply came through here rather than the dimension it's supposed to be attached to," Albedo mused. "I wouldn't use it until the device has been re-calibrated, It would be liable to be connected to nothing, and that's not precisely a good place to open a portal to. Least of all in your place of residence, I take it."

[0fsteel]

"From another universe..." He muttered, tone not so much questioning as it was understanding, accompanied by a nod- it made enough sense to him, with him having never heard of a Galvan in spite of the other stating his species as if the name should speak for itself. All further affirmed by how they treated the Mother Box.

She immediately understood they were alive, and sentient... and moreover, willingly handed the living computer over upon realizing such. If nothing else, that made the Kryptonian soften.

Eyes follow the stranger's gaze as he placed the Mother Box back in their place, widening with realization at what they looked to.

"Did the Phantom Zone Projector bring you here?" He asked, floating over the look over the device, able to tell it had been activated recently through his vision... which was strange, obviously, as it usually could only be activated from this end. "It connects to a specific dimension, but it accidentally connecting to somewhere else isn't unheard of..." He elaborated, scratching his chin.

Fascinating.

He'd suspected the other might have been alien in origin himself, but the further scanning of her dna with a glance was certainly unlike any Albedo had heard of. This man looked human enough, surely, but that wasn't true- neither did the galvan have a fraction of an idea what species he might be.

The 'teenager', as they'd been falsely called prior, clearly pleased this misunderstanding had been sorted quickly. Even if the other's strange species meant a few things, and with the inclusion of the Null Void having been her original destination...

"Well, first and foremost, it's to return home," she began, glancing down to the Mother Box quizzically. "Based off everything I've seen here, I'm nowhere near my home galaxy. Rather, the more I intake, the more it seems likely that this is entirely separate universe."

She runs a thumb over the device, blinking when it makes a light ping that brings her full attention to it.

"Oh, you're alive..." Albedo murmured, frowning now. Even if the concept fascinated him (similar or not to another 'man-made' mechanical species she knew of)- "I can't rightly take you apart now that I'm aware you're sentient."

It's said with a lilt of disappointment, but the mutated Galvan is more than willing to hold hand out to return it now. Clearly, at least, taking apart a living creature like this wasn't something she was quite willing to go through with.

"Very well, I'll just have to try something else..." Gaze turning to the device that had mistakenly brought her here in the first place.

[0fsteel]

@supraxstcllas said: " you seem… uncomfortable. " -- from Match, perhaps?

Send Me Memes - Always Accepting!

It couldn't be understated how off-kilter the Man of Steel was in the younger's presence, his usual nearly statuesque confidence almost immediately voided by just standing before this person made him feel, suddenly wracked by confusion and worry.

The feeling that caused it should have been obvious, as it was something they could both feel- the feeling of being in the presence of another like him, something he simply couldn't describe in a human way. It was a feeling he'd rarely had pleasant experiences tied to, least of all when encountered from strangers.

The other pointing it out almost seemed to startle him, having been so caught up in it he'd almost forgotten they were right there.

"I'm sorry, I..." Words trail off in a muttered response, hand scratching at the back of his head. "You're Kryptonian, or at least partially so, aren't you? Where are you from? What are you doing here?"

[0fsteel]

@dyavol said: 'you're not hurt, are you?' -Mighto

Send Me Memes - Always Accepting!

"I... I don't think so." He muttered back in response, looking over himself. It wasn't often he felt had to question his own well-being, but it also wasn't usual for him for actually to feel the impact of something hitting him, much less be left in a daze afterwards.

Sure enough, though, he was fine- more bumps and scuffs than was normal for him, maybe even potential bruising, but that was it.

Blue eyes lift up to the one checking up on him after that, concern shifting from himself to those he'd been trying to protect.

"Are you alright? Is everyone...?"

[0fsteel]

The response visibly takes the man back a bit, blinking down at them with surprise, brows quirking for a moment before he gave the supposed 'Galvan' a scrutinizing stare. There's a subtle glow in his blue eyes as he peers past the body and, with the combination of super & x-ray vision, examined his genetics directly.

Eyes slowly going wider as he took the sight in, witnessing more and more DNA that simply did not belong... all ingrained in a body that was perfectly human in all ways that mattered biologically."

"... I can see the anomalies in your DNA. You're telling the truth." The sound of Albedo's heartbeat would've betrayed that much. Of all the strange and concerning things here, lying wasn't among them.

Not yet, anyway.

Of course, confirming that she wasn't a human teenager and instead a supposedly many-century-old alien species he'd never heard of didn't do anything to dissuade the Kryptonian from his worries about them holding his Motherbox... but, Clark Kent was cool-headed. "What do you need this technology for, then?"

He wasn't against offering aid to a stranger in genuine need, but he wasn't naive- he had to know what the goal was, here.

He certainly hadn't been sent to the Null Void, that was for certain, but it also meant that Albedo wasn't quite sure where he had been at first. Brushing himself off and glancing about at the shockingly pristine crystalline structure he was in. Certainly nothing natural, and a marvel of craftsmanship.

Focus then, naturally, turned to all the machines in the room. Most being weaponry, of course, but some being such high-level tech that it would be impossible for his intellect to ignore. First starting on the device that had clearly accidentally brought him here. It shared plenty of the markings of the Null Void Projector, even if it wasn't linked to that dimension. A similar prison, perhaps? The bleed-over in the omniverse wasn't impossible...

Just as his attention was turned on such a high-level device in the shape of a handheld cube, the place's owner had entered the room. An off-handed comment (made partially in jest) clearly earning the other's scorn given his view was suddenly obstructed by the wall of a man.

His word's no doubt bringing some of the mirth out of Albedo's expression.

"Let me make one thing clear before we converse further. I am a 574 year old Galvan, sir, not a teenager- unfortunate genetic mishap aside."

The explanation was stated with enough annoyance that he'd clearly grown tired of explaining himself, gaze shifting behind the Kryptonian.

"I am also very aware of the technology housed here, much of which breaks the level 5 scale. If not higher," he glanced to the Mother Box, "in some circumstances. I wasn't intending on using them, merely using the parts available. I have no need of weapons, if that is your concern."

Which may be in part for the odd device on the wrist of which's hand is on his chest, which most certainly didn't appear any more human than the technology on display here.

[0fsteel]

Craddock was the first one to come to Clark's mind as well, the Gentleman Ghost having been a thorn in his own backside on numerous occasions... but, it didn't make sense. He wasn't some common thief, least of all for petty treasures pillaged from graves. Motivation couldn't have simply been monetary.

At Batman's sharp suggestion, though, the Kryptonian is quick to fly about the graveyard checking between the graves with his x-ray vision... sure enough, the graves weren't ransacked at random, the vast majority of the caskets' inhabitants were left untouched.

Many of Gotham's big names were completely untouched, Falcone, Sionis... and, much to his internal relief, the Waynes. All restful.

As he refocused his efforts on where he could see disturbances amongst the dead, the pattern very quickly made itself clear to him as he looked to the names attached to the tombs & graves.

"It's... it's just the Cobblepots." He announced in surprise, looking across the prolific clan and, sure enough, seeing their various pockets turned out and clearly rifled through. "He was looking for something that they took to their graves... and it wasn't their jewelry. They're still wearing everything that would fetch a good price."

Seemingly everything of monetary value, at least. He wasn't sure what they were looking for, or whether they'd even found it.

"Someone working for Oswald, you think? Or against him?"

Craddock didn't have any sore relations with Cobblepot that he could recall, but he could easily be working with someone who does. Or doing a favor for the man, instead... but, to what end?

Either way, they had a name attached to this now.

"Hm...." It's enough to make Bruce stroke his chin, gloved finger gently gliding over the barest beginnings of stubble as he looked down at the tombstone, taking note of the name and dates. The Man of Steel's superhuman senses made him a formidable detective in his own right, which was exactly why the Dark Knight called him in - and allowed the investigation to proceed without any further disturbances for the dead.

The Caped Crusader closes his eyes for a moment. Time to refresh and review. They're looking for someone dressed in white and able to access graves without leaving a trace. Leafing through the casebook in his head, a name immediately leaps out. Craddock? No stranger to Gotham, similar description, could have the means... but considering the deviation from his usual modus operandi, he could also be a red herring....

Batman looks up at the Kryptonian, breaking from his musings. The sight of him in Gotham was always strange - like the way that you can see the Sun at midnight in the northernmost reaches of the Arctic. "I have a hunch, but I don't want to be hasty. We might be able to get a clearer picture if we approach this from another angle. We should consider which graves were targeted and try to find a pattern. It might point us towards our culprit."

[0fsteel]

@ahrencmeptn said: "i'm gonna steal it." -Albedo

Send Me Memes - Always Accepting!

The Fortress of Solitude was, as the name suggested, a place far secluded from the rest of the world, and a fortress that was all but impenetrable from the outside. Beyond other Kryptonians and the smartest people on the planet, few have breached the inside.

Having made it all the more a shock when, after getting alerted of an unwanted visitor, Clark found a... human teenager, having free-range of the fortress and helping themself to the armory's contents.

Something that, along with the almost casual statement, left the Man of Steel blinking in surprise for a moment... before, in a burst of speed, he places himself squarely in the way of the other.

"Listen here, young man, nothing in this room is leaving. They're all dangerous and sealed here for good reason."

[0fsteel]

@zorroinarkham said: "There's virtually no empirical proof."

Send Me Memes - Always Accepting!

"Could have told you that myself." Clark affirmed, looking over the scene of the supposed crime the two were investigating, looking about as if he'd catch something they'd both missed. "No DNA that isn't supposed to be here, no footprints, not even any dimensional disturbances- nothing I'm able to see. anyway."

Which, for Superman, was quite a statement to make, and more than affirmed Batman's own assessment of the scene.

"And yet, witnesses claim to have seen a figure dressed in white robbing the graves, even though there's not a shed of dirt here so much as disturbed." More 'disturbed' than Gotham Cemetery was by default, anyway... every inch of the gothic environment clashing with the Kryptonian's colorful form, him remaining floating over it.

Eyes fell onto a tomb, the subtle glow to his eyes signalling his use of X-Ray vision to investigate the inhabitants, and grimacing. "Unfortunately, they're right- these corpses have been disturbed recently. Tossed positions, brittle breaks, emptied pockets..."

All done without any evidence of the graves themselves being disturbed at all. This one was certainly a head-scratcher.

[0fsteel]

NATIONAL TREASURE (2004) PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the film, adjust as necessary

i'm gonna steal it.

who wants to go down the creepy tunnel inside the tomb first?

if it's any consolation, you had me convinced.

you're not hurt, are you?

i am so getting fired for this.

is there a question in there?

we have no money.

how about a bribe?

it was cool. you should try it sometime.

we can't go back there.

i've never been so happy to be proven wrong.

you handled that well.

are you trying to steal that?

it's thirty-five dollars.

you know the key to running a convincing bluff? every once in a while you've got to be holding all the cards.

stop talking. start the van.

you're treasure hunters, aren't you?

i'm still working on it.

why don't you just come back down here and we can talk through this together.

don't speak again.

is that the hot girl?

are you with me?

what do you think? i'm a hostage.

do you trust me?

once we catch them, what do we do?

is this real?

i made something for you.

tell me what i need to know.

just another clue.

i can explain, but i don't have time.

i wasted 20 years of my life, and now you've destroyed yours.

what was the secret?

i found something!

i broke a shoelace this morning.

it can't be done.

i understand your bitterness. i really do.

i want you to have a chance to do that.

i've got some duct tape in the back.

promise you won't be any trouble.

i finally figured it out.

the treasure is a myth.

we need more juice.

you're all lunatics!

still a little on edge from being shot at, but i'll be okay. thanks for asking.

see? okay? now could you please stop shouting?

give me that!

you would do well, [name], to be a little more civilized in this instance.

who were those men?

we did the only thing we could do to keep it safe.

we probably deserved that.

i was thinking, what if we go public? plaster the story all over the internet.

it's not like we have our reputations to worry about.

people don't talk that way anymore.

beautiful, huh?

i have no idea what you said.

if there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.

what do you see?

what time is it now?

we missed it.

i know something about history that you don't.

i'd be very excited to learn about it.

hold on one second. let me just take in this moment.

this is cool. is this how you feel all the time?

[name], you're a genius.

how do a bunch of guys with hand tools build all this?

the aliens helped them.

i volunteered.

it's invisible.

i'm sorry for your suffering.

when are we gonna get there?

i'm hungry. this car smells weird.

i'm so sorry i dropped you.

i would have done exactly the same to you.

why can't they just say "go to this place, here's the treasure, spend it wisely?"

anyone crazy enough to believe us isn't gonna want to help.

we don't need someone crazy.

[name], are you crying?

look. stairs.

i'm guessing that's significant.

i'm just trying to hide from my ex-husband.

stay as long as you like.

you want something?

i see what you left him.

this isn't a day for "um."

we didn't find the information credible.

well, this might be possible.

i leveled with you one hundred percent.

everything i told you was the truth.

it's not a conspiracy theory.

you know what? i take it back.

i'm in a little trouble.

this... is huge.

you are gonna go to prison. you know that, right?

that would bother most people.

you know what you have to do.

i'm just trying to think if there's anything else we could do.

i'm not letting it out of my sight.

how do you look?

a toast to high treason.

here's to the men who did what was considered wrong in order to do what they knew was right.

why do you need them?

look... this is a waste of time.

i'm still not against you.

i really couldn't accept something like this normally.

we don't actually have it.

did bigfoot take it?

is there a door that doesn't lead to prison?

get out of there. get out of there now!

[name], can you hear me?

can i marry your brain?

our evil plan is working.

why does that never happen to me?

meet me at the car. call me if you have any problems.

no broken bones?

a jump like that could kill a man.