Framing the Bat. [Open]

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Bane sat watching TV as his henchmen upgraded the device to feed the Venom faster into his system. He grew restless for his system depended on Venom and it was getting close to the 12 hour mark from his last injection. 

"Bane, it's done here try it out." said Trogg as he handed Bane the new device. Connecting the tubes to his mask and placing the device on his wrist he pressed the button, sending just the minimum amount his body needs before withdrawals set in. It hurt him a little when the Venom hits his brain, but soon after the effects take place and the pain was gone.

"Ok Boys" Bane said "let's go out and get some info on Batman." the four men left their hideout and headed over to the Stacked Deck to get the locations of a few old friends of Bird. The walk was not far and the night lights shined brightly down the streets. Once they arrived at the Bar, the four men sat down and ordered drinks. 

After around or two of drinking Trogg went over to the Bartender and asked "Were looking for Jimmy "No Nose" Novak. We hear you may know we're he is" "Yeah I know we're he is, but why should I tell you anything, you're nothing but a bunch of nobodies looking for a powerful man that can have you killed in a matter of seconds." responded the Bartender. Trogg chuckled at the response "we know how tough he is, but you see that man over there" he said as he pointed to Bane who raised his glass of beer in response "That man is stronger than any man that rules this town." 

Two minutes went by before the Bartender stopped laughing "well I have not laughed that hard since Joker gassed this place....good thing Batman arrived and gave us some antidote. But seriously I'm trying to save you guys from going to your deaths." "Death" Bane said as he stood up and approached the bar "Death means nothing to me I have conquered it before and it won't stop me now. Now before I really get mad Tell Me Where Jimmy is" he said as he grabbed the man by the collar and raised him over his head. "Ok, ok I'll talk just put me down." There now was that so hard?" Bane said in a calm tone. 

"Jimmy is in the back holding a  'business' meeting" responded the scared man after he was placed back on the floor. "Thanks for the info and the drinks but your job is done here, leave now and we will lock up after we are done" Bane threatened the man as he walked passed him. The Bartender ran out the door screaming for the police as Bane headed for the back door "Let's hurry we don't want to reveal our selves just yet" he said before opening the door....

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Wonder Woman glided gracefully on air currents as she surveyed the east side of Gotham City.  It was by far the seediest part of Gotham, with its shabby run-down appearance.  Litter lined the dirty streets, and neon lights decorated every building and billboard. The casino, bars, and brothels were buzzing with activity, generating revenue from the people who lived here, as well as those that were slumming, but the funds wouldn't be going to aid the poor that were trapped there. The oppression Diana sensed made her feel a gambit of emotions ranging from frustration and helplessness to anger and contempt. She was overwhelmed with how or why a city could denigrate its own people that way.

Suddenly, the Princess’ eyes focused on a man running down the sidewalk screaming for help. As she made her way to him, she pondered the reason for his actions because there weren’t any robbers chasing him or law enforcement pursuing him. Landing in front of him, she raised her hands, showing empty palms, in what she hoped would be seen as a signal of peaceful intentions.

The bartender gasped with surprise and relief. “Wonder Woman, you’ve gotta help me! Four men threatened me and ran me out of my bar! One of the guys was really big, and he had tubes comin’ out of his head - - never seen nothin’ like it in my entire life! They looked like brawlers with an ax to grind and lookin’ for a fight! They’ve gotta be stopped before they tear my place apart!” He grabbed her arm and began pulling her after him. "Come on! This way! I'll show you where they are!"

When they arrived at the bar, the front door was still open the way the bartender had left it. Motioning for the man to stay outside, Wonder Woman entered the establishment quietly, cautiously taking in her surroundings. At first, she assumed the place was empty, but then she heard voices coming from the back room. With stealth and grace, she walked over to the door and placed her ear against it so she could listen to the conversation.

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Behind the bar at The Stacked Deck was a room where "Important" people did "business".   Bane walked right into one of these so called meetings after taking out the guards that were stationed outside the door. "What's this?  Who are you people and what are you doing crashing my business meeting?" asked Jimmy "No Nose" Novak.  

"Your business is not with these men!  It is with ME!!!" demanded Bane.  "And I only want one thing from you.  Information.” "Oh, so another masked freak struts in here looking for answers,” Novak laughed sarcastically.  “Well, just make it quick.  I'm trying to run a business here." 

"Tell me about Batman," demanded Bane. 

Novak looked confused.  “Why do you need to know about the Bat?  What's he to you?  Shit!  Don’t tell me you’re another lunatic who’s come to town to settle an old score with him!” “I want to KILL HIM!!!" Bane growled at the top of his lungs in a serious tone.  His voice was so loud that it shook the entire room and frightened Novak and the rest of his men.

"What? Kill him?  Naw.  What you REALLY want to do is set him up for the kill. See, nobody here knows nothin' about the Batman. He's just another masked crazy . . .  er, no offense," said Novak after regaining his confidence. 

Just outside the bar, perched on a window ledge, sat Talon, Bird's pet falcon, acting as a look-out for anyone coming into the place that could be of trouble.   As Talon was about to turn and fly to another spot, he saw a woman running toward the joint with the bartender.  She looked like trouble, and he needed to report back to Bird.  Spreading and flapping his wings, he took flight and flew as fast as he could to find Bird.

Back inside the bar, Bane listened as Jimmy talked.

"I say we create a partnership and draw out the Batman. See, he is attracted to big crimes and big heists. Petty crime is not his thing, though he will stop it if he comes by it." 

Only laughter came from Bane’s masked face.  There was no expression to be seen.  "A partnership like the one you had with my friend here?" he asked as he pointed to his sidekick Bird. "Hey, Jimmy,” said Bird.  “Long time, no see." 

Novak’s eyes widened with shock. "Bird Colossimo?  I didn’t recognize you.  I heard you were dead!" 

"Nice try, Jimmy, but we aren't falling for it," he responded. 

Flying as fast as he could, Talon maneuvered through the open door and perched himself on a wooden chair.  He saw Wonder Woman standing by the door and knew he could not fly directly to His Master. 

*SCREECH* *SCREECH* 

Talon began to make noise as loud as he could, hoping that Bird would hear him.  It did not matter if the woman heard him or not.  He had to warn his Master of the threat that had appeared. 

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Meanwhile, Wonder Woman continued listening to the conversation through the door.  She didn’t recognize any of the voices, but when she heard Batman’s name mentioned, she knew trouble was brewing.  Maybe she could stop these men before they caused any harm to her Justice League ally.

Suddenly, Talon’s unexpected screeching took Wonder Woman by surprise.  Looking over her shoulder, she saw the bird perched on a chair, eyeing her and squawking its head off.  Having lost the element of surprise, the Amazing Amazon kicked in the door and entered the backroom.

“Excuse me, gentlemen.  Sorry to interrupt, but shouldn’t someone be out front manning the store?”

Wonder Woman's eyes widened when she came face to face with the masked Bane.  She'd never seen a mortal that large, but he didn't look like a god.  Whatever he was, though, wasn't enough to intimidate an Amazon.

"I really think you are underestimating Batman,” she told Bane, assuming he was the leader of the pack.  “He's not anything that you would expect him to be; he's so much more.  Then again, I'm not just another pretty face either.  I believe this culture has a saying about larger men falling harder?  Let's test it, shall we?"

As Wonder Woman spoke, she took her fine, golden lasso from her hip and circled the noose above her head a few times.  Then, with uncanny grace and accuracy, she threw it and watched  it settle around Bane’s huge shoulders.

"You are no match for this champion of the Amazons, no matter how big you think you are!" she said, pulling the noose taut.

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Bane was taken by surprise when he heard Talon’s screeching, but more so when he saw a strange woman burst through the door. "What is this?  Who are you?" Bane asked.  He had never seen a woman like her, nor had he seen anyone dressed like that. *Stars and stripes?* he thought. *She must be an American hero.*  A small chuckle came out of his mouth.

"What do you know about Batman?” he asked her.  “And I would not expect less from the protector of Gotham."  He spoke in a calm manner.  “I think your pretty face needs a makeover," he taunted her.  "I may be big, but I don't fall so easily." 

When the glowing lasso settled around his shoulders, a strange feeling came over Bane, as if he wanted to speak the truth about everything.  He flexed his muscles to break the lasso, but it wouldn’t budge.  

"You’re an Amazon?” he laughed when she revealed herself as their champion.  “Like the ones from Greek mythology?"  He had read quite a few books on the Greeks.  He had studied their war tactics, people, culture, and mythology, though he never thought the Amazons were real.  "Tell me, Amazonian, have you ever had to heal your wounds with Ambrosia Nectar?  Because after I'm done with you, only Apollo's magic will be able to truly heal your wounds!" 

With that said, he grabbed the lasso and used his immense strength to pull her towards him.

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When Bane pulled on the magic lasso, Wonder Woman didn’t let go, and so she was propelled forward and lost her balance in the process.  The impact of colliding into Bane’s muscular body dazed her, making her see stars. It felt like hitting a solid wall of concrete.

Bane took advantage of her condition and brutally slapped her back and forth across the face repeatedly with both sides of his left hand.  “Stupid Amazon!” she heard him growl as she closed her eyes and almost passed out.  “Tell me everything you know about the Bat and I might let you live.  Take heed, your future will be one of unending servitude and possible breeding as my concubine.  Accept your fate or die, woman!  This is your destiny!”

At that moment, Wonder Woman felt a fire rekindling in her spirit.  Bane’s pompous words incited her.  His attitude was arrogant and condescending and reminded her of the Nazis she had fought in WWII.  “I forge my own destiny, and I can assure you that it does not include you!” she exclaimed, lacing her fingers together and giving her adversary a nasty uppercut to the chin.

Everyone in the room watched as the momentum from the unexpected sucker punch drove Bane backwards.  Wonder Woman followed in relentless pursuit, using her own body and strength to pin Bane against a wall.

“I’m not about to tell you anything about Batman, but I’m going to tell him all about you - - after I put you behind bars!” she continued, climbing upon his chest and gripping his mask.  “Now let’s see who you really are, mystery man!”

With a jerk of her wrist, the material ripped, exposing Bane’s mouth and chin to her.  As she fought to remove the rest of it, her eyes narrowed.  She wondered if the mask was just a disguise or if it was needed to hide some grotesque scarring or a deformity caused by the tubes protruding from his scalp.