Advanced Criminal Justice, Monday, Period 3

[amthenight.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the Danger Shop, everyone. You were standing on a rooftop, which is where you'll be spending plenty of time the next few months. So get used to that.

As the class began, Batman spoke.

"None of you in this class are new to Fandom. Only one of you haven't had me for an instructor yet," Batman said. "With that in mind, we'll be keeping the introductions brief. I'm Batman. I've spent my adult life waging a war on crime in Gotham City. If you've never heard of Gotham, it's the most crime-infested city in virtually all realities in which it exists. Before me, it was worse."

"The only reason I can justify being here instead of there right now is because I've trained people who can take my place should anything ever happen to me," Batman explained. "These people have chosen this life and chosen to follow my teachings. Even as they become their own people and forge their own paths, their training has given them the tools they need. None of them have powers. All of them have enough dedication to make sure that doesn't matter. Because of that dedication, even when we don't agree, I can trust them to carry on the war."

"You're here by choice. If you choose to stay, I will test your dedication. I will question your motives. I will push you physically. I will give you instructions and expect you to follow them without question," Batman explained. "But by the end of the semester, you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can make an important difference in the world."

"If that isn't enough for you, leave now," Batman said, pointing to the door. "Otherwise, name, class, and tell me why you're here. Why, after everything I just said, you're in a class devoted exclusively to teaching you how to overcome something as large as 'Crime.' While you're doing that, we're going to run these rooftops."

"Lesson One: Cardio. It will be expected of you. Work on it in your free time." He pointed to a random person. "Start." And then he started running. Keep up, everyone!

Comments

Re: Talk to Batman

[genesishero]

"Most of the teachers were heroes," Evan confirmed with a nod. "But the classes themselves weren't as much about actually being a hero as they were about getting to know our way around our powers, and, well, surviving."

He scuffed a toe against the ground underfoot.

"The student body was mostly mutants, with the occasional alien. But the focus of the course-load didn't really touch on fighting crime. Wolverine started the school because he didn't want kids to be fighting."

... So far, that hadn't actually worked out so well.

Re: Talk to Batman

[amthenight.livejournal.com]

"But you think you should fight?" Batman checked. "That's good enough for me."

He would not see eye to eye with Wolverine, no.

Re: Talk to Batman

[genesishero]

Any hero who didn't see eye to eye with Wolverine was pretty okay in Evan's books these days. There were some issues there.

"How can I not fight? I was raised to do so." He was kind of created to do so. "And not everyone can. I was in a bad situation where I was left helpless before. I want to be able to stand up for people who are stuck in situations like that, too."

Re: Talk to Batman

[amthenight.livejournal.com]

"I disagree with one thing you said," Batman said. "Anyone can. They just have to be willing to devote themselves to it completely. The people who are willing to do that are few. Sounds like you're one of them, though."

Re: Talk to Batman

[genesishero]

Anyone can. That statement flew in the face of a lot of things that Fantomex had taught Evan over the years.

... He decided he liked it.

"It's the one thing I know I want to do with my life," Evan agreed with a nod. "It's kind of a short list, otherwise. I'm not really the kind of person who gets a normal future, anyway." There was a moment's pause before he added, abruptly, before he could re-think the impulse, "I don't suppose you need a TA, huh? You seem like you're ready for pretty much anything, but I thought maybe I'd be able to pick up more by taking a more active role in the class."

Re: Talk to Batman

[amthenight.livejournal.com]

"I tend not to ask much extra of my TAs. But if I need your help, you'd better be ready," Batman said.

That was a yes.

Re: Talk to Batman

[genesishero]

"I'll be ready!" There was no hesitation when Evan said that, breaking into a broad smile. "And willing, and able, sir. Thank you!"

When all was said and done, Evan really was an easy kid to please.