Cat Grant stands before a camera, her left hand up to ensure she hears what is coming through her earpiece. "This is Cat Grant reporting live from New Orleans' historic French Quarter where the Martian Manhunter and Superman are in mid-battle against." Behind her the two heroes either telekinetically dodge the cars being thrown at them, or smash it straight into the river. "The so-called Terror Twins." The camera zooms in on two figures who jump at the heroes, the distance from the camera to the fight prevents anything other than their white-blonde hair, white tops and black pants to be picked up. "Who have been on a three-state rampage through the south."
One of the twins throws their sibling at Superman while they are still aimed at ManHunter.
Superman catches the female twin by the forearms, counteracting her brother's throw before spinning her around to throw her in the same direction ManHunter is throwing her brother.
Both twins crash through the roof of a warehouse. Landing hard enough on the concrete slab floor to dent it. Both of them almost bouncing into a messy roll that leaves them both groaning in pain.
New Orleans, September 14th, 16:53 CDT
Discombobulated they both sit up, the boy looking up with his almost neon blue eyes as he rubs the back of his neck near his chain and lock necklace. Seeing the Mardi Gras style decorations around them as both twins get to their feet.
Behind them, Red Tornado has inhibitor collars on them before they can react.
The boy notices first yelling a sharp "Ey!" through his thick southern accent. The collar's three slots all glow bright red, indicating that it has turned on. Despite the high pitched whine the boy tries to make a grab at Aqualad, but Kaldur easily pulls the other teen's arm behind his back. "That don' feel right." the other teen groans, still fighting against Kaldur, but getting nowhere. It takes a moment for him to realize why he feels off. "My strength. But I dun' just gone toe-to-toe with Superman."
"Congratulations." Superboy's voice is almost sarcastic as a heavy-duty combat boot comes into view, showing off that in both outfit and hairstyle he looks identical to the teen Aqualad is keeping pinned. "That's more quality time than he's ever given me."
M'gann looks worriedly at Conner before heading over to the female Terror Twin. Placing a single hand on the other girl's shoulder.
"Gotch'er inspiration, sister Tuppence?" Conner asks, his accenting matching the deep Southern one the boy was using.
As M'gann turns towards Conner she shapeshifts to match the female Terror, Tuppence, completely stunning the two real Terrors. "I believe I do, brother Tommy." her accents a little less pronounced, but not wrong.
"Somebody tell me what's goin' on!" Tommy demands of the two look-alikes as Batman comes up behind them.
"It's simple," the Dark Knight tells the Terror twins. "they're under arrest." accenting his point is the two collars he puts around the two Teen Heroes necks, seamlessly
Belle Reve Parish, September 16th, 21:55 CDT
Two cop cars lead a bus, tailed by a hover drone, down a winding forest road. Inside the bus M'gann checks out her thick black cuffs before looking bast Conner at the cop armed with a gun between them and the front of the bus. In the back of the bus is Victor Fries, and across from them is Icicle Jr. Who silently mimes kissing to M'gann, much to her disgust.
In an attempt to make the monotony pass faster she remembers why they were sent on this mission in the first place.
"This past Fourth of July four ice villains staged simultaneous attacks. Mr. Freeze, Icicle Jr, Killer Frost, and Captain Cold were all easily apprehended." the Dark Knight informs the Conner, M'gann, and Kaldur. Superman at his side, while ManHunter and Red Tornado are behind the teens. "Perhaps too easily. Cold and Frost were immediately sent to Belle Reve penitentiary a federal prison designed to house super-criminals. The 17-year-old Icicle Jr. was sent to a juvenile facility. Mr. Freeze, to his usual cell in Arkham Asylum. But Freeze petitioned the court to be declared legally sane and Junior sued to be tried as an adult. As a result, both await transport to Belle Reve which seems to have been the goal all along. I'm sending the two of you in to find out why."
Kaldur is the first to ask the most important question. "Who inside the prison will know their true identities?"
"No one." Batman answers too easily. "We can't be certain the prison staff isn't compromised."
"Dude. Dude." Junior says getting up in Conner's face and obviously saying it loud enough that she can hear him. "Your sister is sweet."
M'gann grunts in disgust, making it clear that she did hear him as she looks bored out the high window of the bus.
"How about you put in a good word for me?" He asks Conner. The sheriff hits him with the butt of his rifle to get him back in his seat. Junior groans at the harsh treatment.
"Sit down. We're here." the sheriff says in a deep tone that not only commands respect but also shows that he's vindictively happy about the fact. "Welcome to Belle Reve."
The Prison Facility is massive, surrounded by a tall circular wall that the helicopter flies over as the police escort goes through the two-lane gate.
The cars honk once they're inside, passing tall towers with automated weaponry mounted at two different heights with also 180 degrees of accuracy.
Next is the actual prison gate which only the bus goes through, the police cars stop short of the gate and the helicopter flies off.
As the bus comes to a stop, the sheriff leads Conner, M'gann, Junior, and Freeze out. The four of them are put in a lineup, looking up nearly a full story as a commanding female voice speaks.
"I am the law of last resort. My name is Amanda Waller."
~
A/N
I can't even lie, I LOVE Amanda Waller with a passion and since I was coming off a rewatch of Batman Beyond when I watched this the first time I knew she was playing both sides and knew that she was going to be epic levels of badass and she still exceeded my expectations for her character.
~
"I am not your mother, your maiden aunt, or your friend. I am your warden, and you are my prisoners." she places her empty hand on the half-wall before her. "The proprietary collars you wear are custom-designed to inhibit your specific meta-abilities. No strength. No ice." now there is a large black remote in her hand. "In addition, the collars can and will be used to discipline inmates. A con who breaks the rules gets one warning."
Waller presses the large blue button without remorse. Watching as the collars release blue shocks that nearly bring all four new arrivals to their knees.
"If order has not been restored the next shock will render the offender unconscious. At the slightest hint of trouble, this facility goes into lockdown. Belle Reve's walls are thick enough to hold Superman." Conner looks away from the prison warder to the collar around his neck. "We know. We checked." M'gann too looks away from Waller to look at Conner's reaction to her statement. "No one's ever escaped Belle Reve. No one ever will."
The man behind Waller, a lithely built pale man in almost direct contradiction to Waller's broad-shouldered build and dark skin. Further contradicting their stances is his use of a dark grey suit coat, black turtleneck to his brown-grey beard, and tinted glasses; while Waller is in a black suit with a black tie, a light blue button up underneath and only round earrings in her ears.
"Oh," Waller muses, letting the man step forward. "this is Professor Hugo Strange. He is your maiden aunt."
"Actually, I'm the prison psychiatrist and I promise you a sincere attempt at rehabilitation." Hugo's voice is far softer that Amanda's, but holds attention with the same level of command.
"Because we know you types are all about sincerity." Waller says with a deep look in her eyes as she smiles.
The prisoners in BLOCK FOUR heckle at the guards and the newly arriving Junior and Conner as they are marched along the upper level to their cell.
"Conner? Can you hear me?" M'gann's voice comes through loud and clear in Conner's mind.
"Uh, yeah," Conner responds easily, shocked by her presence in his mind."but I thought the collars..."
M'gann is flanked by two female guards as she walks to her own cell with more confidence than the two were expecting given the odd looks they're giving her. "Designed to inhibit Tuppence Terror's super-strength. Not my telepathy. But your strength is..."
"Not at Superman's level. I get it." Conner nearly snaps at her.
"No, that's not what I was-" M'gann tries
"Whatever." Conner says shortly as the man in front of him comes to a stop.
The cell door buzzes as it slides open.
"Home sweet home." the rounder, the shorter guard says through a heavily nasal accent.
The guard with the gun hits Conner between the shoulder blades to push him the cell. Doing the same to Junior despite the grunts they both give.
Both can only watch as the door closes and locks.
"I call top bunk." Junior says brightly.
In contrast M'gann grunts as she is pushed backward into her cell. The door buzzing and closing as she looks away. Sitting down on the bottom bunk.
A light groan from the top bunk alerts M'gann that she isn't actually alone. "You're cutting into my beauty sleep, little girl." M'gann looks up at the blue hair, blue eyes, and pale skin in shock. "And if I don't get my eight hours, I'm a real killer." Frost finishes darkly.
M'gann says nothing as she lays down and rolls over to face the wall.
The next morning the lights over the Common Area turn on in the women's half, M'gann takes a moment to soak in the light- much to Frost's confused annoyance- before she continues walking.
In the sight of multiple guards on each wall, and two guns mounted on the wall with the gate. One by the thick glass separating the EAST half from the WEST half and the other in the opposite corner.
M'gann and Frost approach two more women by the glass, Frost leaves with them as M'gann looks through it.
Seeing Conner walking with Junior in the more populated half.
"Stick with me, cellmate. I'll show you the ropes." Junior tells the bleach blonde
~
A/N
Literally in this case.
~
With a little too much confidence.
"Ah, who you kiddin'? You ain't been in Belle Reve befo'." Conner objects. "Ya liable to get me hang' wit' dem ropes."
"I may never have been incarcerated here, Tommy." Junior stops the other teen short with his seriousness coming through in that moment. "But trust me, I know whereof I speak." Just as quickly as the joking returns and they walk a few more steps, Junior slows again and looks directly at only one person. "For starters, we pay homage to the top of the food chain." There is a group of five at the corner of the bleachers. Blockbuster and Mammoth stand tall, their backs turned to the three sitting. Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold, and Icicle Sr. "The big dog. The prison capo."
Junior is only focused on one of those three, "My father." the dread in his voice is too high.
"That's your fa-" Conner starts, so shocked that he forgets his accent for a moment. "Tha-that's yer pa?" he stutters out.
"Yep. Icicle Sr." as if trying to prove that he's actually scarier than Junior making him out to be, Sr. glares at someone in his line of sight. "Reeks when your dad is the man, you know?"
Conner looks down for a moment. "Believe me, I know."
"Hey, how many ice villains does it take to screw in a light bulb?" a lanky brunet asks the three ice villains.
"No one cares, Nigma." Senior growls.
"Of-of course not, boss man." Nigma stutters but gains his confidence back rather easily. "I just thought if you're having a powwow, you might need my know-how."
Blockbuster and Mammoth crowd him and growl.
Nigma wisely leaves, walking past three other men who are clearly not part of the conversation.
"Get a load of Riddler, trying to run with the big boys." Brick taunts to the other two stand at his sides.
~
A/N
And I forgot your had to find you in an older episode and was ready to punch myself when I realized your name was Brick, fucking brick.
~
"Riddle me this, doofus," he taunts Riddler. "who's the biggest joke in Belle Reve? And it ain't the Joker."
Everyone laughs as Senior looks to Frost on the other side of the glass.
Junior breathes in through his nose, sighing. "Here goes nothing." he gives Conner a lopsided smile as he starts walking forward.
The man with the laser eye- now covered by a yellow clamp- jumps Junior, much to Conner's shock, taking him to the ground with a choked grunt.
"Hello, Junior. I warned you what would happen next time we crossed paths." the man sits on Junior's waist ready to start punching him in the face.
"Ojo, buddy, pal, mi amigo." Junior greets cheerfully, but is clearly freaking out if his pitch is anything to go by.
Conner grabs Ojo from behind by the shoulders, snarling "Ge' off ah him." before delivering a solid right hook to the helmet.
Ojo grunts as he lands at Bricks feet.
The red man pounds his fist into his open hand as he glares at Conner. "Boy, that was not wise."
As other the three approach, Conner helps Junior to his feet, completely unafraid. One of Brick's lackeys grabs Junior and pulls him away. As Conner goes to help him the other lackey blocks his way. Conner squares up into a fighting stance, hearing the other three surround him.
M'gann and Frost watch on the other side of the glass.
The guards watch from high up, one leaning on the railing, the other going straight for the remote. The one leaning on the railing waves him off. "Uh-uh." he says through a heavy Louisiana accent. "New fish need ta learn."
Ojo rubs his jaw, looking ready to get back at him. Brick grabs Conner in a headlock, smirking. "Free shot, Ojo."
Ojo smirks, but then stops, stunned. "Wait, I know him." Conner grabs Brick by the head and throws the large man at Ojo. "He's-" The two collide and fall to the ground with a grunt.
~
A/N
I honestly want to know how Ojo recognized him though, I mean. Really. It's not like Conner doesn't look like Tommy with the blonde hair done in the right style and Tommy does have blue eyes. So I wanna know what Ojo saw that made him go- NO! This kid is with the Justice League or whatever. Here's the deal if he had mixed Conner up with someone else M'gann wouldn't've needed to basically brainwash him to not give away the mission, so how did he know?!
~
Conner goes to keep on fighting but is grabbed by two more of Brick's lackeys.
"Not wise." Brick snarls as he gets off of Ojo. "Not wise at all."
Ojo puts a hand on Brick's shoulder. "Don't you understand? He's-"
From the window, M'gann uses her telepathy. "He's Tommy Terror!" she nearly shouts inside his mind, all of Ojo's thoughts go white until that's the only thing he can remember.
~
A/N
Who actually went 'ooo, bad' when she did this? The FIRST time you watched it. Just me? Okay.
~
"-he's Tommy Terror." Ojo says with a grunt, holding his head.
"He's roadkill." Brick snarls, pushing Ojo back with a grunt. Charging at Conner with a fist as the teen fights against the two people holding him.
"Enough." Icicle Senior's voice cuts in, deep, dark, and causing everyone to stop short. "Kid's got guts. The kind of guts a father wouldn't mind seeing in his own son."
Junior is thrown in front of Conner with a stumble in his step but manages to keep himself upright. Turning towards his father as he rolls out his right shoulder. "Great to see you too, Dad."
"Get over here." Senior commands. Conner goes to follow him but is stopped by Brick. "Not you, Terror. Just Junior."
Conner sneaks a glance at Brick before turning his ear to the conversation, listening in. "All right, Icicle. We're all here." Freeze says. "Now what?"
"Now we put the final pieces in place to bust every single con out of Belle Reve." There, despite being separated by the glass it's clear that all four ice villains are indeed working together to escape Belle Reve.
The camera hones in on a person with a cart of new Prison Uniforms heading down the hall, all of them being passed out by Professor Ivo.
Conner picks up the two sets of uniforms almost instantly, looking them over, while Junior chills on the top bunk.
Seeing what he has, Junior springs his feet up and swings them over the edge of the bed. "Tommy boy, I'd advise putting the new rags on sooner than later." his smirk tells Conner that's he's being far more serious than his teasing tone and false attempt to replicate the local accent would let on.
Conner turns his back to Junior as he unzips his jacket. "The break is coming, sooner than later."
M'gann pulls on her new uniform, all too aware of Frost watching her. "Updating Aqualad now."
Outside Belle Reve, in a camouflaged BioShip remains stationary over the swap outside the prison boundary. "Time to pull you out. Calling the league."
"Icicle would postpone." M'gann objects. "We need to learn how they're busting out or they'll just try again."
Aqualad sighs through the link. "Agreed." He looks to the other person in the BioShip, annoyed. "We remain on alert."
Tornado says nothing as Aqualad leans back with his arms crossed over his chest.
In Strange's office there is a small waterfall, bonsai trees, and two chairs before his ornate chair. In those chairs are Tommy and Tuppence Terror. The boy slouching and leaning on his fist, while the girl sits up perfectly straight. "Here's my concern your anti-social tendencies are a roadblock to rehabilitation and are often the result of a conflict with the mother figure." he leans forward, looking for the two to respond. "Hmm? Hmm?"
The boy breathes in heavily, making it clear that he's looking at the doctor, then almost deflating as he closes his eyes.
The girl looks over at the boy beside her with compassion and worry. "It's really more of a father figure thing." The second those words started blue eyes shot wide open, and he turned to glare at her.
"Interesting Tuppence." Strange mused. "Expand on that."
"Or don't." was the bitter objection.
"Healing requires open dialogue, Tommy." Strange tells the boy, then turns to the girl. "Go on, my dear."
"Well, he won' admit it but Tommy really wants to be like his- ar father." snapping his head away from the conversation, hand covering his mouth, yet she just keeps talking! "Be able ta fill Pa's shoes, y'know? But Pa's distan' a' bess. Refuses ta give Tommy time a day. I' makes Tommy feel unworthy of-"
"Or maybe Tommy refuses to live in Tuppence's stupid fantasy world where every problem's solved in half an 'our." he snaps as he rockets to a standing position. As shock falls away, fear creeps up and she can't keep looking at his angry, hurt, betrayed expression anymore. Realization kicks in and he's both scared and stunned by what just happened.
~
A/N
Uh... 4th wall break? Maybe? TBH if this were any other show than YJ I would've really believed that it was- as most of them usually follow this idea with a few exceptions per season- but the way this show works is with all these complex overarching problems and secrets last episodes and sometimes go silent and nearly forgotten for just as long.
~
"Excellent. I think we made a real breakthrough today." Strange says happily.
The teenaged boy can only raise an eyebrow at how these two seemed to have figured something out about him that he doesn't fully understand.
Freeze and Cold flank Icicle Senior as they make their way through the prison's laundry room. Heading straight for the chain blocked room in the back of the room. Senior swings the sliding doors open wide with too much bravado.
"These parts came in with the shipment of new prison orange." he says informing the two men by his side, while a guard follows them into the room. Standing tall.
Cold reaches for the crowbar on the wall, taking it off the pin, but pausing in the motion to look at the guard. Raising the cover to his chest pocket to show the remote for the collars, the man nods. The crowbar is easily jammed under the lid and the wood cracks as the nails are pulled loose to let the top open.
Inside are some machinery pieces, but Freeze is the one who comments, almost too easy. "Exactly the parts we need."
In the cafeteria half of the common area, the TV is showing the new. "Cat Grant reporting from Chicago where the Manhunter from Mars has defeated the Headmaster."
Freeze, Blockbuster, Mammoth, Cold, and Senior all look to each other.
"That accounts for every leaguer except Red Tornado." Freeze says confidently.
"Probably on monitor duty, or whatever." Senior mumbles lowly. "Even if he does show, he can't handle all of us alone." in an instant his expression goes hard and he throws over his shoulder an angry growl of "Don't even think about it, Nigma."
"It's fine, fine. No one can say the Riddler goes where's he's not wanted." the brunet snaps, walking towards Brick's table.
~
A/N
Probably on accident.
~
"Wow," Brick remarks, stopping the Riddler short. "that philosophy must not leave you with a lot of options. Beat it."
Nigma glares at the man, but walks off, decidedly ignoring the laughter from Senior's table.
Conner catches sight of the whole thing as he sits down across from Junior. "So how come you ain't sitting wi' yer pa?" he asks curiously.
Junior pauses in his eating, looking like Conner had just spat in the spoonful of food he was about to eat. "Because my pa is a jerk who only wants me around when he needs me." he says it over his shoulder, but not nearly loud enough for the man to hear him, rather he just glares harshly at his dad. "But I try not to live or die over getting his approval, you know?" Conner drops his attention, suddenly feeling far too attached to the sentiment given by a villain. "So tell me about your sister."
"Wha'?" Conner questions confused. "Uh," clearly thinking something up. "Sh-she's a pain. Why?" he barks, but not angrily at Junior just annoyed by the idea of the girl being brought up in conversation.
Junior reaches over and half-slugs Conner in the shoulder. "Dude, she's hot." Conner looks very confusedly at the spot Junior hit as he continues. "You can't see it because you're family." he drags his attention back up as Junior shrugs with his hands up. "But I look at her and think: "That chick gets me." And really, that's all you need. Someone who sees the psycho that you are and likes you anyway."
~
A/N
To be honest, this all I want of a person, is that so wrong?
~
Conner actually looks surprised that Junior actually said something that he can actually agree with and understand the sentiment behind. "Yeah, yer like an evil genius." he returns the smile Junior gave.
Junior raises a fist. "Word." the two share a fistbump.
Mister Freeze stands up suddenly. "That's it, old man. I'm done genuflecting." nailing Icicle in the face with a lunch tray.
Conner and Junior, along with everyone else in the cafeteria, rocket to their feet stunned.
"Belle Reve needs a new capo." The man snarls, kicking Icicle in the face with his thick boot, only to be shocked by his collar.
"This ain't Arkham, Freeze." the same guard, who watched them open the equipment is the one holding the remote, speaks in a low gravel tone. Still holding the remote until Freeze falls to his knees. Finally, the energy stops and Freeze falls to his side. "We don't put up with prima donnas. Take 'im to Waller." he tells the other two guards, who struggle to carry off the monstrously sized ice villain.
Cold looks to Icicle, who has blood falling from the corner of his mouth, as he stands back up.
Conner and Junior head through their cell block together, when Junior is suddenly snatched by the back of his arm by his father. The teen is thrown to the wall and his father stands over him.
The man looks panickedly around to make sure no one's watching, much to his son's obvious surprise and hisses out. "There's a glitch. Can't reach Frost."
"'Xcus' me." Conner interjects lowly, now that the three of them are the only ones out of their cells. "I couldn' help overhearin'."
"That'll happen when you eavesdrop." Senior snarls lowly.
"Yeah, well, I can help." he continues with a small smile. "I go' dis mind-link wit' mah sister."
"I know your stats, boy. Super-strength only. No telepathy." Senior tells Conner, as Junior can only watch the argument go back and forth between the two of them.
Conner looks down the hall as he grumbles out "It don' pay ta advertise when they're slappin' collars 'round yer neck." then he turns towards Senior, smirking a little. "But we're twins, see? Got de psychic thing in-utero." Senior looks intrigued if nothing else. "So you talk ta me, I talk ta sis, sis talks ta Fros'."
Senior stands up straight, glancing from side to side once more. "Alright, send the message. It's going down. Now." he whispers to Conner.
Amanda Waller sits at her desk, plaqued with WARDEN and everything, Hugo Strange stands behind her.
Freeze walks into the office, stopping about a yard short of her desk. An officer comes up behind him and pushes his shoulder, causing the man to stumble slightly as he commands. "Move."
Freeze twists his hands in the restraints, they spin with the motion even though the two should've stayed inline with each other. "Freeze." he retorts as he shoots ice from his palms, hitting the guard in the face.
As he pulls away from the guard his cuffs freeze and shatters around his wrists, looking smug.
Waller doesn't even stand up, she slams the button on her remote, activating the collar.
Yet, Freeze opens his suit, grips the collar, freezing it so it shatters when he pulls on it. He's gasping for air, but when he looks up his eyes burn. "Too little, too late."
Waller stands. "We'll see. Voice activation, Waller-1. Lockdown."
Around the prison alarms blare, all the lighting goes red, and triple layer protection engages.
A guard in the office sees the LOCKDOWN as the digital gates are shown to be closing around the circular prison. With a gasp he stands and slams the red button, closing blast door over the window to BLOCK 4.
The guns engage.
Waller pulls her own handgun out of her coat, aiming it at Freeze. Strange stands behind her stunned by the actions.
Waller goes to fire the gun, but Freeze freezes it, her hand, and her arm past the elbow. She shouts in pain, falling back and holding her shoulder.
"Stop!" Strange shouts, getting the man's attention. "Stop." he repeats. "What do you want?"
"Master control for the collars." Freeze says, stepping forward and pressing a yellow button on the control panel of Waller's desk.
The collars power down around the prison.
A guard scrambles through the cell block, stopped short by someone growling from inside a cell. He turns his lit flashlight into the cell. The thing growls louder and he screams as the door comes flying off by Blockbuster.
The gun hones in on his form before firing at him.
He shouts in pain, but Mammoth rips the machine gun out before on for longer than a few seconds. Throwing the machine gun into the blast door.
The guard in the office watches on a screen as Mammoth throws it, only just managing to get out of the way of the gun before it smashes those monitors.
He falls to the ground, Mammoth growls before picking him up by the face.
On the ground floor of BLOCK 4, two guards can only watch as more doors come flying into the hall. Inmates charging at them in mass, some jumping straight for them and others running for the main door to their block.
Conner, in the madness, runs to an open cell, finding both Icicles using their powers to shatter the collars.
Junior's form also transforms to have a more ice-like appearance.
"Strength should be back, dude." he reminds the blonde, seeing as he's still wearing his collar.
"Right, right." he mumbles, yanking the collar with one hand before it breaks in half.
Icicle looks oddly at him. "How things going with Frost?"
A female guard is pushed to the floor, she rolls to her back, looking up the inmates in fear. "Please, I have a family." she begs.
"Oh, beg some more. It's much sweeter that way." Frost turns her hand into a spiked ball, ready to beat the woman with it.
The ice shatters suddenly, the only indication of who did was M'gann's shout of "No!"
The blue haired woman turns to the blonde, irked, but impressed. "Well, Tuppy, aren't you just full of hidden talents?"
Her look hardens, ready to take all of them on.
Conner hears M'gann re-engage the link. "Superboy, I think my cover's been-" she gasps, but then cuts off.
Conner goes from confused to worried. "Miss Martian?" to frightened as he switches to her given name. "M'gann!" then his eyes burn with anger as she doesn't respond. "M'gann!"
<>><<>
The guards are pushed into a cell by Mammoth, Blockbuster, and Icicle Senior.
Senior speaks. "The prisoners now control the prison." then the door slides closed in front of Waller and Strange.
"That's not the same as escaping it." Waller tells them lowly.
"Then we'd better get to work." Strange says as he walks off. Freeze, Cold, Junior, and Conner all wait for him in front of a pair of double doors.
~
A/N
Can I just like fangirl a mo, because here are these two characters who both deliver hard, dark, or commanding lines but never raise their voice- Conner- but they do it in such different ways that even when I have written about them delivering their dialogue where it's only them having a conversation I never once felt like I was going to use the same words to describe them. Waller speaks in a low tone, where any other emotion behind he commanding nature comes second. Whereas Senior speaks a deep tone, literally giving me chills because it just is dark no matter what he says, but his emotions are clear-cut and are heard on top of that dark bass tone. Okay, I'm done.
~
He walks between Conner and Junior, not even giving them a glance. Coming to stand equal with Captain Cold and Mister Freeze. The three of them all use the black wrist bracers to fire ice at the doors to their block. Chilling their air around them in a noticeable cloud.
The guards are forced back from the doors of the cells as it coats the railings in a layer of ice.
Conner looks around at the sounds of prisoners startled yells go beyond just their block and to the other hallways as well.
Blockbuster and Mammoth step up, delivering three sets of simultaneous punches, the wall cracking then crumbling before them. The two muscle heads look back at the three ice villains.
"Excellent." Freeze muses. "At this rate, we'll have our exit in 10 minutes."
Icicle senior says nothing as he raises his hand again, Blockbuster and Mammoth moving out of the way. He fires again, and with only small hesitations do Cold and Freeze join his beams.
"Genius, huh?" Junior asks with a smirk.
"Uh. Yeah." Conner mumbles, distracted. "M'gann, please, can you hear me? I will reach you, somehow, I promise."
"Hey, kid. Still in touch with your sister?" Senior asks, startling them both. "Everything copacetic in chick central?"
"Yeah, copacetic." Conner manages with only a slight waiver.
"Then why you both standing around?" the man demands angrily.
Junior smiles. "We're on it, Dad." dragging Conner with him to the laundry room.
Junior freezes the far wall. "This wall adjoins the women's wing."
"Uh, oh, yeah." Conner mumbles, stepping up.
Junior smirks. "We work it from our end..."
Frost freezes her side of the wall as Devastation, a tall and intimidating dreadlocked brunette with vine tattoos down her left arm, beats at the wall.
~
A/N
Correct me if I'm wrong on her name please.
~
"...while Frost and her ladies work it from theirs."
Conner punches the wall hard, with a large wind-up, repeatedly.
"Then the babes cross over into our wing, and we all walk free together." Junior finishes.
But Conner's not listening to him, he's calling out to M'gann as he keeps going. "I'm coming, M'gann. Hold on."
Waller, Strange, and the guards shiver in their cells. Brick and his lackeys looking in on them smugly.
"Look at them shiver and shake." he then turns back to the people in the cell. "Too bad you're not wearing the new orange we had smuggled in. Micro-tech thermal units sewn into the fabric keep us toasty."
Waller looks up instantly. "Toasty?" she questions, looking harshly at the red man straight in the eyes. "Before this is over, you'll be toast." It's not a threat. It's a promise.
Something in Brick snaps as he reaches through the bars of the cell door, grabbing waller by her tie. Choking her slightly. "Before this is over, you'll be over." he snarls.
Strange slowly steps forward. "Daniel, stop. There are a hundred ways this could go down and in all of them," Brick turns his attention from Strange to Waller for a moment, she glares just as strongly back at him and he looks down at her. "a hostage like Waller is more valuable alive."
He pushes her back, but lets go of her tie. "Thank him, Wall. He just saved your life." Brick tells her quietly.
Icicle Junior refreezes the wall, which no has a very large dent in it. As soon as Junior stops freezing it Conner steps up and grunts as he punches the wall repeatedly "I'm getting closer, M'gann." he stops, his anger turning to worry and confusion. "But I can't save you if I have to fight every con in Belle Reve."
Conner looks behind him at Junior, raising an eyebrow like he suddenly has an idea. "Junior, listen, I jus' got me a warning from Tup." He gestures over his shoulder to prove his point. "Collars are turning back on in women's wing. Coul' happen dis side any minute."
Junior's eyes go wide. "Oh, man, we better tell Dad."
Conner smirks. "Or you coul' show some initiative."
Junior looks away as he thinks it over, his lips forming a thin line, when he turns back to Conner he's slow to give him a smile that turns hopeful quickly.
The two make their way down the hall, where oddly enough all the lights are still on and it isn't covered in ice. In front of Waller's office is Ojo, Hook, and Kadabra.
Ojo stands in front, looking at the two teens. "Freeze said no one goes in." his tone is annoyed and condescending.
"Dude, you want your collar to turn back on?" Junior questions, just as annoyed and even snappier.
Ojo merely crosses his arms.
"We don' have time fer this." Conner gripes, charging in and hitting Ojo straight with an uppercut that sends the man straight into the wall behind him. Hard enough to dent it.
Hook goes for a cross that would've hit Conner in the head had he not ducked. Junior's ice goes over his head too, freezing the large man to the wall.
Kadabra stands, but can't get any further than his wind up before Junior freezes him too.
"Keep an eye on 'em. I'll make sure dem collars stay off." Conner tells Junior as he walks towards Waller's office.
"Fool." Ojo snarls, pushing himself up to his hands and knees. "He's using you. I remember him now." he looks to Conner, undeterred by the teenager storming towards him. "He's-" Conner nails him in the head with a solid punch, knocking the man straight back to the ground.
Standing tall Conner walks into Waller's office, which is still dimly lit, shutting the door behind him.
Junior looks at Ojo sparking helmet, then to the door. Impatient. He walks to the door, pushing it open slightly. "How's it going?"
Conner runs out of the darkest part of the office, "It's done." he says not slowing down and making Junior push the door the rest of the way open to let the blonde go past him and then follow him down the hall.
Junior smiles brightly. "Dad's gonna love this."
As they leave Ojo's collar lights turn back on.
Freeze, Senior, and Cold all have their back turned to the majority of the other cons, as they continue to lay ice on the outside wall.
Brick and his lackeys are the first to get their collars turned back on and fall to their knees with the shock. The rest of the prisoners follow quickly behind them.
It's only when they stop using the ice gauntlets that they can hear everyone screaming, and Cold also falls to his knees as his collar re-engages.
Senior is quick to speak. "No, no, no! We're almost through." he gestures angrily to ice on the wall, his anger and disbelief causes the man's voice to change dramatically. "The greatest jailbreak in history."
"Is history." Freeze says simply, but there is bite in his tone. "What are we supposed to do now, carry them all out?"
The lock buzzes to Waller's cell, Senior pushing in as Freeze stands guard.
Irate the man throws a guard to the side so he can get in Waller's face. Grabbing her by the tie.
~
A/N
What is with you people and grabbing this woman by the tie, seriously that is the EASIEST way for someone to disarm your hold, just... ugh.
~
"Tell me how you did this, or I swear you won't thaw for millennia." he growls.
Waller looks back, unintimidated. "At which point, you will still be in Belle Reve."
Strage gasps. "No." then charges at Senior and throws both of them at the wall.
Senior groans and falls unconscious. Freeze steps in, Strange looking up worriedly, while the Arkham villain looks down at the mastermind, in disbelief. "You must be kidding me."
Conner is still punching the wall at the split between the wings with Junior as Mammoth and Blockbuster stalk towards them.
Conner shouts one last time as he delivers an even harder punch than normal before turning to the monsters.
Freeze steps up behind them. "I went back to the warden's office." he says, letting that catch the teens' attention. "Hook and Abra were taken out by ice before their collars reactivated. Your father and Cold were with me the whole time, so..." there's no need to finish the sentence as the tone and his glare show exactly what he wants to say.
"What are you talking about?" Junior questions, annoyed "We stopped the collars from turning back on." he snarls. "Oh, and you're welcome."
Freeze glares at the teen's snark, but doesn't say anything.
"Donchu ge' it?" Conner mumbles to Junior, then speaks louder so he knows Freeze can hear him. "You heard Freeze in the mess. This 's 'is power play. He's takin' what belongs ta yer pa."
Freezes eyes widen as he gets angrier at the
~
A/N
Albeit incorrect.
~
Realization that he figured out Junior's true plan.
"Traitor." both Junior and Freeze shout/snarl at the same time. Firing ice at the other. Conner is quick to jump to the side and out of the way. Ice collides in between the two of them, becoming a shattering crystalizing nebula of power.
~
A/N
Like holy shit that shot.
~
Mammoth growls as he attempts to hit Conner, Blockbuster following close behind.
Conner jumps back, quickly realizing that he is definitely running out of room before the wall.
Mammoth comes in with another huge hook that Conner ducks under, grabs the monster's wrist and throws him into the wall.
Blockbuster charges in after that.
Looking over his shoulder at the noise, Conner sees just how close he is, taking Mammoth by the wrist again and swinging him to hit Blockbuster and throw both of them at the wall.
Freeze overpowers Junior, putting the teen on the defensive. "Amateur. You can't possibly hope to beat me at my own game." the Arkham inmate taunts.
Conner looks worriedly at Blockbuster and Mammoth as they stand back up. "How 'bout we trade dance partners?" he offers Junior.
The ice teen looks over his shoulder while just barely holding Freeze back. "Deal." he says easily.
Conner jumps high before Mammoth and Blockbuster can get to him.
Freeze stops shooting ice in shock, looking up to see Conner deliver a downward punch. As Freeze falls back, he realizes his helmet's been shattered.
While Junior Freezes Mammoth and Blockbuster in place with a steady stream of ice.
Conner looks on as Freeze starts to panic. "No. No. My suit is breached. Can't survive unless-" Freeze is quick to shoot himself in the face with the ice gauntlet, freezing his head and shoulders, and th tops of his arms.
He looks back at Junior who stops with his stream of ice to keep the shouting monsters back, as it solidifies he looks to Conner. "I got mine, but I don't know if that ice will hold them."
"Jus't keep a' it. Pile on da ice. Ah'll finish up." Conner speaks quickly before charging his shoulder straight into the wall, knocking what was left clear and through.
"Well, well, well, it's the brother." Frost muses. "Care to share Tuppy's fate?" her eyes drag to the left, leading Conner's to the same.
All he can do is gasp at the suspended, frozen M'gann.
Shock gives way to anger in a moment, he yells in anguish as he charges.
Devastation meets him halfway, so he hits her straight in the face. Surprisingly, she can take and hits him back.
The two exchange a few more blows as Frost snaps a quick "Get out of the way." before huffing in annoyance. "Oh, fine, I'll ice you both."
Conner's quick reflexes let him turn and catch Devastation in arm hold, as she gets hit head-on with the ice. From there he moves quickly, charging at Frost where she barely has enough time to gasp and stop her ice before he throws Devastation at her.
Both women hit the wall and fall to the ground, unconscious.
"Dude, what are you thinking?" Junior questions confused. Conner is slow to stand, but as he moves with a purpose Junior realizes what he's looking at. "Oh. Aw, dude, I'm sorry." he offers, genuine, as Conner comes to a stop before her, raising a hand to wipe away the fog so her face is no longer obscured. Conner's expression breaks, pain, fear, loss all flood his eyes before he closes them, his head falling forward, his eyebrows knitted in can only be pain.
~
A/N
Normally this would go pretty much unnoticed, but I ended up pausing here and... holy shit.
~
"And she was such the total babe too." Conner completely ignores the comment, stepping back with a large windup and an angry look on his face. Junior is quick to realize what he's going to do. "Dude, stop." he nearly shouts, stunning Conner enough with the fear in his own voice to get the bleach blonde to turn towards him. "You'll shatter her. Assuming she's still alive in there at all." he mumbles the part lowly.
"M'gann, please don't leave me." Conner projects his thoughts, hoping to get her to hear him.
Everything is quiet until the ice quakes and shatters itself. Causing M'gann to fall to the floor. Conner takes a moment to reach out to her, but he helps her up quickly. "Are you...?" he trails unsure how to finish the question.
"It's pretty cold where I come from." she offers, Conner shifts his hold to her waist and her jaw. "I'll be al-" she's cut off as Conner kisses her.
"Dude, that's your sister." Junior objects loudly, eyes wide.
As M'gann shifts back to herself, green skin, freckles, and auburn hair.
"What?" Junior looks to where she was frozen, then to Frost and Devastation. "Wait. Is she?" realization dawns on him. "And are you?" now he knows exactly who they are. "Oh, Dad's gonna kill me." he whines, burying his face in his hand.
~
A/N
I actually feel really bad for him here, this really wasn't anything he could've controlled, yeah he was a little dumb in a few spots, but the way Conner played them made them really believable.
~
Undeterred and oblivious to Junior's turmoil the two teens continue to kiss.
Amanda Waller's plaque is thrown into the garbage. A new one is placed on the desk Hugo Strange. The man himself releases his hand from the plaque and moves behind the desk.
"Belle Reve will be fully operational by tomorrow." he tells someone, though since there is no projection it's obvious that whoever he's talking to is in the room with him physically. "All prisoners are accounted for, except the Riddler who somehow did manage to escape during the confusion." he seems at least slightly impressed at the man's ingenuity. "Still, you must be disappointed."
Icicle Senior stands before him, unguarded, uncuffed, but the collar in place and turned off. "Me?" Senior asks with a small smirk. "After the risk you took smuggling our tech inside you had nearly as much invested in the break as we did. It's a shame we got beat, but the main objectives were all reached." he holds his hand out to Strange.
The man reaches across the table and shakes his hand. "The Light should be quite pleased." he says with a small smile.
Belle Reve on the outside looks the same, but something has fundamentally changed about the prison on the inside.