9660/Knightfall: Living With It

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Knightfall: Living With It
Date of Scene: 19 October 2019
Location: Central Business District, New Troy
Synopsis: Kimberly visits the site of Superman's death and finds a grieving Stephanie. The Ranger's words help ease Batgirl's guilt.
Cast of Characters: Spoiler, Pink Ranger
Tinyplot: Knightfall


Spoiler has posed:
Television cameras from news crews caught much of the fight between Superman and Batman. The Central Business District has been quieter than normal since those days, but not for lack of people. Though the fight is a week in the past, the flow of people coming to the site to pay their respects has not yet slowed.

The signs of the battle are still visible. Cracked concrete speaks of the titanic forces employed in the battle. Scorch marks and scrapes that people point out to each other. Here, where the Batmobile was destroyed ramming Superman. There, where the Man of Steel used the remains as a thrown weapon against the Dark Knight.

Though more than the signs of battle are the signs of people's feelings. Flowers line the sidewalks on both sides of the road, in such numbers as people have to walk in the roadways of the closed off section of town. Cards and posters are hung on the sides of buildings alongside children's posters, and pictures of people who owed their lives to the earlier heroic actions of both fallen heroes.

A multitude of candles, hundreds if not thousands, sit out where they have been left for overnight vigils. Extinguished for now, but they will be relit come dusk, and the images of the candlelit streets has gone viral around the world.

Pink Ranger has posed:
All of this is a long way from Angel Grove. A long way from the battles that a team of teenagers fight to save the world from...Well, to be fair, their understanding of just what they're saving the world from is a little bit fuzzy. But she knows what this sort of destruction looks like. She knows what it feels like to lose something. And more than anything, she feels the loss of //hope//.

So Kimberly Hart made a rare request for a teleport from the command center for something other than duty. Zordon certainly had too much respect for fallen heroes to deny the request. With a simple bouquet of flowers and a flickering LED votive candle, she walks along the street, taking in the damage.

Spoiler has posed:
The immense screens above the Batcomputer each show a different newsfeed, different angles of the showdown between Batman and Superman in the streets of Metropolis.

The Man of Steel drives the Dark Knight's body into the pavement, cracking and fissuring it as he does so. They speak, though the cameras don't pick up the sound.


Stephanie Brown's eyes open, looking out at the street at the spot where the concrete has the man-sized hole, the edges of it fractured and split like some mockery of a spiderweb. The young woman is sitting on a short fence that rings a corporate headquarters. Separating their small, manicured lawns from the sidewalks that are now filled with so many flowers.

The 21-year-old blond slides her sunglasses off, revealing blue eyes bearing the telltale red signs of crying. Though at the moment her eyes are dry, if somber. Wearing a pair of jeans and a dark purple sweatshirt, Stephanie's eyes go to the crowd. People standing and staring. Some crying and being comforted by loved ones. A little girl wearing a shirt with a depiction of Supergirl on it sets down a flowered bouquet, having to make a little room for it on the sidewalk amidst the other flowers. Her parents stand nearby, giving her an encouraging look.

Stephanie manages a small smile, but a sad one. She rests her hands in her lap as her gaze next falls on Kimberly and the batch of beautiful flowers and the candle.

Pink Ranger has posed:
Kimberly pauses near that spider-webbed spot, brows furrowing in the slightest frown. She's seen that kind of damage. Usually it takes a megazord to do that kind of damage. What sort of person does it take to stand there for it? What sort of evil twists someone...No. That's too familiar a thought.

Crouching, she pulls a single bloom out of the bouquet, setting it at the edge of the circle before she straightens up. Something tells her just one batch of flowers isn't enough to memorialize everything that happened here. Good thing so many have come for it.

As she stands, the young woman on the fence catches her attention. Alone here, and more than just literally. Steps cautious, respectful, and carefully moving around the signs of battle, she approaches to offer a faint smile. "Hey," she calls over softly. "It's, uh...Rough to think about, I know. You okay?"

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie Brown does indeed seem to be alone in each sense of the word. There are few smiles to be had on the block, and most of those are done in encouragement of others. Though some people are definitely reacting more than others.

Stephanie rubs the back of a hand across her eyes, and hooks her sunglasses in the neck of her t-shirt she wears beneath the purple zip-up sweatshirt and hoodie. "Hey," she offers back towards Kimberly. "Yeah, really rough," the blond-haired young woman says quietly.

She lets out what is meant to be a soft laugh though it falls somewhat short. It has the feeling of someone used to using humor to make moments comfortable. "Yeah. I mean, there's different kinds of ok. Aren't there? Like one that means... not ok but you're trying?" Stephanie asks.

She has a pair of Starbucks cups sitting on the block fence beside her. Both have the name 'Steph' written on them. She picks up one and takes a sip, the cup mostly full from how little she tips it. "Want a latte? Pumpkin spice. They messed up my order and gave me the other one too," she says, offering over the untouched cup. "I'm..." she says, waving a finger beneath the name like Vanna White, "Steph."

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Sure, that's a kind of sort of okay," Kimberly agrees with a rueful smile, hopping up onto the fence next to Stephanie. She pulls out another of the flowers, then sets the bundle and the candle down next to herself. "Trade you," she offers. "I'm Kimberly. I can leave if you want some space, I just...You kind of looked like you could use a little support, you know?"

She gives the other girl a little more space by looking away, taking in more of the scene instead.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie's somber expression takes on a bit of a true smile at the offer of the flower. "Thank you," she says in a heartfelt tone as she accepts it. "Hi Kimberly," Stephanie replies, and takes a moment to bring the flower to her nose to smell it. The whole area has a smell like a field of wildflowers, with thousands of flowers having been left by people paying their respects.

"That was nice of you," she says, motioning towards the marred section of concrete. "It's really nice seeing how many people have come out," Stephanie says, though the words trigger some emotions, her lip trembling just a little as she speaks.

"Are you from Metropolis? Or did you come out, to visit?" Stephanie asks. "I'm from Gotham actually. Go to the University there. And... the company is welcome, yes. Maybe help distract me from my thoughts a little," Stephanie shares.


The immense screens above the Batcomputer each show a different newsfeed, different angles of the showdown between Batman and Superman in the streets of Metropolis.

The Man of Steel drives the Dark Knight's body into the pavement, cracking and fissuring it as he does so. They speak, though the cameras don't pick up the sound.

Oracle's fingers move across the keyboard rapidly. Trying to break the lockdown that went into effect the moment Batman's entourage arrived in the Batcave. Keeping them away from the fight. Robin has a red crystal in hand and is trying to get Kestrel to stab him with it, likely either giving him enhanced powers, or killing him.

Alfred stands by the cabinet from which he's been taking out the packages left behind by Bruce for each of them.


Pink Ranger has posed:
"Angel Grove," Kimberly answers, tucking her hair behind one ear. "Bit of a trip, I know," she adds, looking over with another of those small smiles. "But we're pretty sympathetic to the whole massive destruction side of things." The smile fades away, a soft breath following it.

"This is more than just some buildings and concrete, though. Buildings and concrete can be repaired, rebuilt. In less time than you'd think, even. But what this //stood// for is something else."

Spoiler has posed:
"Angel Grove. Wow that is a distance. Really decent of you to make the trip though," Stephanie says. "Says something of just how much he meant to everyone, doesn't it? I mean... white, black, Asian. I bet there's mutants and, who knows maybe even an alien or two amongst them. Everyone finally united about something. And this is what it took," the young woman says softly.

Stephanie's throat tigthens as the college student gives a timid nod of agreement with Kimberly's words about the damage. The blue eyes are glistening a bit, not as dry as they were. "I mean... how does the world come back from this?" Stephanie asks softly.

"I know... he was harming people. Something was affecting him," she says quietly. Words she's repeated to herself so many times. "I just..." Stephanie says, trailing off and shaking her head. She clears her throat. "What do you do, in Angel Grove?" she asks.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"Yeah, but...he was Superman, you know?" Kimberly finally takes a sip of the latte, still looking out over the destruction. "You know - anyone with sense has to know - something was wrong. That's not what Superman does. Something twisted him." She has her own memories like that. The Green Ranger...Tommy.

"That's the ugly part that's so hard for people to put into words. That's the heartbreaking part. Something that good, turned that dark. And then having to face the idea of destroying it. Probably hurt more than the car." She shakes her head, taking another sip to buy herself a moment.

"Sorry, that...came out way more grim than I meant it to. I'm a senior," she answers. "High school. Not really sure where I'm going to go next, but."

Spoiler has posed:
The girl sitting next to Kimberly looks over to where the remains of the Batmobile had landed. It has since been cleared away, but she can remember vivdly how Bruce barely avoided being crushed by it. One of the scenes from the newsfeeds that gets played again and again on television.

As Kimberly speaks of it hurting more than the car, Stephanie manages a numb-looking nod. "It did," she whispers in agreement. Stephanie swallows and then stirs a bit from her thoughts, looking over to Rachel. "Nah. That's... the kind of stuff I can't stop thinking about," Stephanie says quietly.

Stephanie takes a sip of her beverage. The little girl and her family have moved on, but others replace them. Laying more flowers on the sidewalk. Over on the other side of the street, a group that look like they are a choir from a church have begun singing a quiet, well-known hymn. A number of other people join in.

Stephanie looks over to Kimberly instead of singing. "Yeah, I was like that too. I didn't figure I'd be able to make it in college, to be honest. And, now I've got two years under my belt. It was a lot of work, but... worth it. Not saying you have to. But, give it some thought?" she suggests.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"It's that or really committing to gymnastics," Kimberly admits, as if it's entirely ordinary to discuss that sort of thing in the middle of this sort of chaos. "But I'm way not ready to make those decisions yet."

She takes a deep breath, looking over to the softly singing group. "It's a lot of unpack," she says slowly. "Superman's...you know, Superman. Hope. Potential. This is tragic. But once people start to move away from the tragedy, there are more important things for them to remember. Like that being good isn't always going to be easy, but it's always going to be worth it. Like that sometimes you have to stand up to something, no matter what it is. Even if it hurts to do it, because it has to be done."

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie sits up a little straighter. "You're on the gymnastics team? I was too. It was like, the only good part of high school," Stephanie says, and for a few moments the somberness of the moment and the place is washed away by the mention of the topic that she loves. "I don't really get to do it anymore," she says. Well, not in the same way. Flipping over a blast of Victor Fries's freeze ray is technically gymnastics. Probably.

Stephanie'e eyes drift back over as the hymn ends, a few people clapping softly. "Do you really think so?" Stephanie asks quietly, her eyes swinging back to Kimberly with a fairly intent look. "That it was something that had to be done?"

A group of youths comes along the street, looking at the impromptu memorial that covers the block. "I don't get it," one tells the other. "I don't even get how someone kills Superman. I mean, bullets bounce off him. Shit." Another slides his arm around the other as they continue down the block.


The immense screens above the Batcomputer each show a different newsfeed, different angles of the showdown between Batman and Superman in the streets of Metropolis.

The Man of Steel drives the Dark Knight's body into the pavement, cracking and fissuring it as he does so. They speak, though the cameras don't pick up the sound.

Oracle's fingers move across the keyboard rapidly. Trying to break the lockdown that went into effect the moment Batman's entourage arrived in the Batcave. Keeping them away from the fight. Robin has a red crystal in hand and is trying to get Kestrel to stab him with it, likely either giving him enhanced powers, or killing him.

Alfred stands by the cabinet from which he's been taking out the packages left behind by Bruce for each of them.

On the screens, Superman's eyes glow red, a menacing and baleful glare before something stops him. He stumbles, Batman falling from his grasp.

From out of nowhere, a missile whirls through the air and strikes Superman in the back. A glowing haze of green mist surrounds the Man of Steel as he coughs, sputters, and finally falls.


Pink Ranger has posed:
Kimberly grins briefly to Stephanie. "Yeah, gymnastics and cheerleading. And a bunch of other stuff too, but those are the big ones. I've got some pretty great friends, though. Not sure what I'm going to do when we're out of school, honestly."

At the question, she falls silent for a moment, mulling it over. "I can't believe that anyone who was willing to put their life down to stand up to Superman would have killed him if there was any other way to fix it," she finally answers.

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie looks from Kimberly, back out towards the spot of the battle. Quietly thinking and slowly nodding at what the other young woman said. Saying something to yourself doesn't help nearly as much as hearing it from someone else, sometimes. Especially when it's something you wanted to be true.

The blond-haired girl takes another sip of her coffee, cradling the cup in both hands. "Hang on to them," Stephanie says, glancing over to Kimberly. "Took me a long time to find people like that to have in my life," she says quietly, blue eyes looking away from Kimberly and back towards the street. "A really long time. And I don't want to lose any of them," she says, her voice tightening with emotion that has only somewhat lessened now that Bruce is out of the coma.

Pink Ranger has posed:
"I feel like people forget about that," Kimberly agrees with a small, tight smile. "We all think about how important it is to be successful, to 'move on' after high school, but...Just because you found something really awesome when you //happened// to be in high school doesn't make it less real or important or...anything."

She hesitates for a moment, then reaches a hand for the other girl's shoulder. "You know, if you let what happened here take away your hope, then whatever did that to Superman...it wins again."

Spoiler has posed:
Stephanie gives a little nod to the younger woman at the first part of what she says. The blond girl is listening, but at the same time the thoughts that have been warring within her are there in the back of her mind as a distraction.

But something in what Kimberly says to Stephanie draws her attention back over fully. Stephanie swallows and her eyes fill with emotion. Emotion, and tears, but only one trickles down Stephanie's cheek. "You're right," Stephanie says quietly. "God but you're right."

She looks back at the crowds, and the flowers and the lights and candles. The pictures of people who wanted it to be known the impact that was had on their lives by both Batman and Superman, for it isn't only Superman's sigil that adorns many of the remembrances.

Stephanie slips off of the fence. She takes out her phone, and if Kimberly allows it, touches phones to transfer her information, an invitation to keep in touch. "I think... I think I'm going to walk for awhile. Thank you. Maybe you've helped me to live with it a little," Stephanie tells Kimberly. And then she walks off, stepping carefully through the flower-laden sidewalk back to the street. Hands in the pockets of her jacket as she moves off.


The immense screens above the Batcomputer each show a different newsfeed, different angles of the showdown between Batman and Superman in the streets of Metropolis.

The Man of Steel drives the Dark Knight's body into the pavement, cracking and fissuring it as he does so. They speak, though the cameras don't pick up the sound.

Oracle's fingers move across the keyboard rapidly. Trying to break the lockdown that went into effect the moment Batman's entourage arrived in the Batcave. Keeping them away from the fight. Robin has a red crystal in hand and is trying to get Kestrel to stab him with it, likely either giving him enhanced powers, or killing him.

Alfred stands by the cabinet from which he's been taking out the packages left behind by Bruce for each of them.

On the screens, Superman's eyes glow red, a menacing and baleful glare before something stops him. He stumbles, Batman falling from his grasp.

Stephanie looks down at the package that Alfred handed her while the others are distracted, working frantically. Within, just a smart phone and a handwritten note. The note:


  Only you could live with it. I'm sorry.

The smartphone's screen illuminates. A prompt on the screen reads 'ACTIVATE Y / N? FINGERPRINT REQUIRED.' Stephanie's hand trembles. She rubs her sweaty fingers on the leg of her Batgirl costume, and then finally presses the pad of a finger to the phone. The smartphone chirrups 'DRONE ACTIVATED'. Real-time nosecam footage from a Bat drone high above Metropolis begins to feed directly through the phone's screen. The screen overlay declares it has picked up its target, and a small missile is launched.

On the Batcomputer's screen, from out of nowhere, a missile whirls through the air and strikes Superman in the back. A glowing haze of green mist surrounds him as he coughs, sputters, and finally falls.