1304/Winds of Change: Gorilla City Part Three

Winds of Change: Gorilla City Part Three
Date of Scene:	22 April 2020
Location:	Grodd's Palace, Gorilla City
Synopsis:	Grodd is defeated and taken into Wakandan custody! Boca is released from her mind control and seeks her missing husband, the true king of Gorilla City.
Cast of Characters:	Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Kate Kane, Carrie Kelley, Artemis, Shang-Chi

---

Tim Drake has posed:
Grodd's Palace, Gorilla City.

It seems to be up to Bat Family and friends to take out Gorilla Grodd-- Space Monkey, Gorilla Enthusiast, B-Level Flash Villain, and really bad silverback dude. His evil plan to turn the world into gorillas cannot be simply ignored.

Some small problems, of course.

<<All right,>> Red Robin says from his position outside the throne room door. <<Everyone in position? Scramblers online?>> He asks, referring to the telepathic scrambling devices he had 'borrowed' from the Batcave. They are somewhat... prototypes. So maybe they won't work 100, but it's better than nothing. <<Remember: Shuri and Carrie are keeping him from being able to summon any more backup from the computer central. We got to make this fast, clean, and get this guy dropped into custody before he tries his gorilla shenanigans again.>> Tim likes the word shenanigans. It's a //good// word.

He considers his 'older brother' and the black sheep of the Bat Family, Red Hood. <<Hood, you should probably take point,>> he says, almost despairingly. Because he knows what Hood 'taking point' will be, and how destructive that will end up. But Grodd is no slouch, and he's got at least two guards with him. <<According to the Bat computer, Grodd has mind powers, and can control people as well as use telekinetics. Be careful.>>

Inside: the throne room is large, and technologically integrated. Grodd himself sits on an actual throne, beside him, his queen, Boca-- who looks somewhat less than aware, for those who bother to pay attention; and a trio of gorilla guards, all armed with high-tech energy lances. For the moment, they are unaware of what is about to happen.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Nightwing was able to meet up with the rest of the team at the rendezvous point. <<I'm here, Red Robin,>> he says as he double checks his gear, which is in reality similar to his usual loadout, but a few things had to be ratched up a few notches due to gorillas instead of people. <<Great, mind powers, should be fun,>> he nods to Red Hood and nods, <<If Hood is good on going in first htat works for me, but remember our primary objectives. Take out the guards first and then we can focus on Grodd, best not to divide our efforts too much.>>

Nightwing puts on his respirator and flicks on his infrared, <<If you got smoke, use it. Make it harder for them to locate us. We're already on their home turf.>> He gets a smoke bomb out in one hand and an escrima stick in the other, ready for the party to start.

Jason Todd has posed:
There's a moment of tensing from Red Hood, an instinctual urge to fight with whatever 'The Replacement' says, though this time it works for Red. <<Sure, Red >> he says over comms. Moving towards the doors, he reaches into his jacket and produces one of the toys he borrowed from the cave, a little micro-camera on an the end of a bit of wire, he couches low to slide the camera under the door, the image being displayed on the little box at the end of the wire.

"Looks like we got the big man, one other gorilla, plus three guards with some sort of high tech sticks, probably electric or some other bullshit," Red Hood reports before pulling back the wire and tucking the device back into his coat.

He gestures at the door, "Whole crew is standing right around his throne down the end of the room, so throw hard and far with those smoke bombs," he says tapping his helmet to turn on the thermoptics suite. "Other than that, just try to stay out of my line of fire," he pulls his two pistols then. "Okay, 1, 2, 3, go!"

And with that Red Hood kicks in the door, no quips, or lines, he just aims both pistols, low on Grodd's body, and fires. If he hits the knees, great, if not? Oh well. One less psychopath in the world.

Kate Kane has posed:
Batwoman readies her own gear as the others talk. <<Test, test>> She says, just making sure her comm's are working. She raises one hand and checks over the gauntlets, flexing fingers and making sure that they can go from punch to electro-punch when needed. Then the other is checked. Then her utility belt, and then comes out the python coil. <<I can try to get one out of the fight with this. The more they struggle, the more they bleed. Doubt PETA will be happy with me though.>>

She studies Hood up for a moment, grins, and adds. <<So the plan is to go in with overwhelming violence? Sounds good to me.>> She does one final check of her gear, takes hold of the python coil in her right hand, and then watches Red Hood kick down the door. She follows him into the room, and starts running towards Red Hood's left to keep out of fire and to try and get the attention of at least one of the guards.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
<< Got the long distance smoke bombs right here, >> Comes Sparrow's voice over the comms as she approaches down the hall to rejoin the others. Her own weapon of choice was in hand which she rarely had out in Gotham, ever: The green bow that she brings forward to aim toward the still-closed doors. The string is drawn taut with a single arrow with a hefty tip on the end that would deliver the smoke bombs Nightwing had requested. This would get further inside the throne room than any hand-tossed smoke bomb by far.

She holds position until Red Hood kicks in the door. An almost imperceptible shift of her aim comes in that split second before the snap of the string sends the arrow shooting over the heads of the other bats, and assorted allies. It impacts at the foot of the throne sending up a hissing plume of smoke that rapidly fills the air obscuring the sight of Grodd, his queen, and the guards alike.

<< Go get 'em! >> she cheers on for the others more than willing to take up the rear position of the group.

Artemis has posed:
Looking casually at the others, Artemis is rather impressed in a way by their planning. She isn't low to the ground, isn't in a ready stance, or frankly anything like that. She just, from what she can tell, knows that the people with her are all just human. She really hadn't expected that but good for them for taking care of the trouble in their world. She adjusts the strange device given to her for her head, not liking how it works around her hair but that's fine. As long as it does work. She then reaches up and touches the device that allows her to communicate.

<<Hit them hard and fast.>> She nods her head, <<Well, that works for me.>> She then waits till they are about to go in and as soon as the door opens, she reaches out with her right hand and calls out, "Mistress, to me!" And with that, a massive great axe appears in her right hand and befor even questioning the situation, she is running straight into the room, right for Grodd, axe before her. Yeah. She's not really waiting for smoke to fill the room or anything or anyone else. No, she's going right for Grodd and much like Jason, she has no qualms doing what is necessary. Unlike Jason, she has no ties to anyone else here making her even pretend like she's trying not to kill the gorilla who is trying to ruin people's lives.

Shang-Chi has posed:
Shang-Chi hangs back for a few moments, letting the smoke fill the area, before racing across towards one of the unengaged guards. He moves with blinding speed, crouched low, and unleashes a vicious strike not towards the Gorilla itself, but the weapon it wields.

Infused with and guided by Ki, the strike aims to sunder the creature's weapon entirely, and then they can have a "fair" hand-to-hand fight, not that such is REALLY the priority so much as robbing the gorilla of its' primary weapon.

Tim Drake has posed:
As the door is kicked open, Grodd stands up and lets out a loud roar of rage. "WHO DARES DEFY ME, GRODD, KING OF THE GORILLAS!?!?"

The bullets fly-- and Grodd does something unexpected, perhaps. He turns his wide silvery back to them, interposing himself between the projectiles and the female gorilla on the throne beside him. The bullets bounce off his hardened hide, stinging, but doing no real damage to him. And more importantly to Grodd, doing no damage to Boca.

"HOW DARE YOU ENDANGER MY WIFE?!" he roars again, pushing the woman back and behind the thrones. "Stay back there, my love, and we will handle these intruders. GUARDS! DEFEND THE CROWN!" The dazed female gorilla huddles behind the thrones in fear.

And they do, even as the smoke rises in the throne room. Though the guard Shang-Chi addresses loses his weapon, it does not deter him, snarling in rage as he attacks the kung-fun master with tooth and fist. The guard Batwoman engages jabs at her with an electrified lance, roaring. The third guard moves to do the same to Nightwing.

Red Robin observes the situation, his exposed lips curling into a frown beneath his domino mask. He whips out his staff, the small escrima-sized stick flicking to a full-length bo with the flick of his wrist. <<Stay back, Sparrow, and give us cover with your arrows,>> he advises her, before rolling into the fray under the cover of smoke.

Grodd whirls around as Artemis advances on him with the axe, catching the blade in a massive handclap. "Huh. Amazon. You don't want to do this," he says, smirking, hitting her with his mind control powers. "You want to hurt //them//. They tried to hurt the queen."

Dick Grayson has posed:
You know how a plan never survives first contact with the enemy? This is one of those times. Once the smoke bomb is out, Nightwing rushes forward with the rest of the team, now with both sticks out, each crackling with energy. He is ambivalent on the lack of utility of the guns at the moment, but his attention shifts to the guards, one of which is dealing with Shang-Chi at the moment, as the other moves towards himself.

Nightwing keeps his eye on the lance and decides to play it safe, instead moving quickly to keep his strikes focused more on the joints of the large gorilla guard of Grodd, making sure to put a big jolt of electricity into each strike, but remembering the first objective of combat, do not get hit. For this, he is relying mostly on his own training, and desire to survive.

Jason Todd has posed:
"Neat," Red Hood observes dryly as Grodd tanks the rounds from Hood's twin sidearms. Hood holsters them in a smooth motion even as he advances towards Grodd at a run. Hands free they dip into his coat, producing a pair of explosive batarangs he 'borrowed' from the cave, the sort they use to blow open holes in the side of buildings for a quick entry, he presses them starting the timer, then after letting them cook a few seconds he hurls both at Grodd's head. Unless Batman changed the timing on these things since he was last with the Family they should explode just before impacting the Gorilla's face, to leave him blinded and distracted.

Not waiting for the batarangs to reach the target, he goes for the compact shotgun strapped to his back and keeps coming for Grodd.

Kate Kane has posed:
The gorilla guard comes at her with his flashy lance, so Batwoman rolls to the side to dodge it, and leaps back up to her feet, using the motion to lash out with the python coil, letting it wrap itself around the big, angry gorilla. She has no doubt that this thing will overpower her if it gets the chance, so she quickly lets the coil do it's thing, and because it has a habit of causing pain to whoever is trapped in it, the more they struggle, the more they hurt, she activates her taser gauntlets and tries to punch the gorilla in the head. To try and knock it out at least.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
Sparrow gives an affirmative to being told to hang back and supply cover-fire. This is what she expected, really: There were far more capable, stronger sorts going in to handle the actual hand to hand. She's fine with that. Turning to the side so as to mkae herself a smaller long-range target in case the opposition pulled out any guns, she notches another arrow at the ready. And then she just... watches, and waits. There was no need to let loose with more arrows at the moment and risk hitting one of the friendlies. But she was waiting in case things turned nasty, or more arrived.

Artemis has posed:
Her weapon caught, Artemis blinks at the reflexes of the Gorilla and glares at him until he starts using those mind powers. Then those mind powers are hitting her. She is about to tell him off but his words are hitting even through the scrambler. However, she is at least somewhat more willful than the average person and the scrambler helps so she ends up stumbling back from him, grabbing her head and closing her eyes as she stumbles back, "Out of my...mind...monkey..."

Shang-Chi has posed:
Shang-Chi flows around the strike of the Guard, a simple two-fingers strike impacting a nerve cluster that makes the arm fall limp for the next few minutes. The jaw might be another serious problem, but the Master of Kung-Fu interposes his forearm...or specifically he lets the Gorilla chomp down on the metal bracer he wears on that arm. Which leaves his other arm free to strike at the nerve cluster in its' neck, which...hopefully, will render the faithful guardian unconscious. If not...he'll keep fighting. If so...on to any remaining guards, and then the head Gorilla himself.

Tim Drake has posed:
Grodd rears back to punch the Amazon, as he continues to issue mental commands to her. "They are not your allies!" His punch is telekinetically enhanced, so when it lands, it will definitely be a powerful blow, even to an Amazon.

The Guard fighting Shang-Chi goes limp in the arm, biting down on the Kung-Fu master's arm before slumping to the ground, twitching. Angry eyes glower at the man as he leaves the disabled guard layiong on the ground.

The guard tangled in Batwoman's electrified lasso twitches and screams in pain as he struggles, falling quickly to her one-two punch to the head into unconciousness.

Then-- BOOM CRACKA CRACKA -- explosive batarang to the face. Grodd howls in rage, his hands moving to cover his eyes, blinded.

Nightwing's guard is a bit more slippery, deftly avoiding the swings of the escrima faster than any creature that large should be able to move. He jabs at Nightwing with his lance again, but misses the third Robin (the replacement, as Todd would say) popping up behind him in the smoke. Red Robin's bo isn't electrified, but it does provide a nice solid WHACK to the back of one ankle, then a spin and a second crack to the back of the gorilla's head. <<Teamwork, boss,>> he snarks on the comms, but the surprise does leave the guard's guard open so Nightwing can land some solid blows with his electrified escrima.

Leaving Grodd alone, blinded, and enraged.

Dick Grayson has posed:
Nightwing is able to duck out of the way of the lance, occasionally deflecting it with his sticks, but once he gets the opening created by Red Robin, he lands the required strikes. Third Robin gets a nod of approval, <<That'll do,>> and soon is circling around Grodd, when he notices that Boca has not moved much, <<What's going on with the queen?>> He inquires after seeing Jason get the shotgun out, <<Please tell me that thing isn't loaded with slugs.>>

The eldest of the Robins also launches some sonic wingdings meant to go on levels not meant to be heard by humans, but possibly on a range audible to gorillas. <<Let's hope this works>> he says before moving to enter the fray with his sticks.

Jason Todd has posed:
Red Hood glances back at Nightwing, << Sure, I won't tell you that >> he says to the elder robin, a grin plain in his voice.

Leveling the weapon low at Grodd's right knee, Hood says, "Let's try this again," and squeezes the trigger, trying to add crippled to the list of adjectives being used to describe Grodd at the moment.

Kate Kane has posed:
Taking a moment to absolutely make sure that her target isn't going to get up and cause problems for them, Batwoman then approaches the area where Grodd is is howling, Red Hood is blasting, and Nightwing is asking questions. Deciding that Red Hood has the situation 'under control' for the time being, and with Grodd's attention focused on those engaging him, she decides it's time to find Boca once more and maybe get her out of the room, especially if the levels of violence are going to intensify.

Using what stealth she can muster now, she goes towards the last place she saw Boca.

Carrie Kelley has posed:
<< The queen is behind the throne, >> Sparrow confirms from her vantage point. She'd come closer to the door and was now lodged back against the door frame so she could angle her bow either out, or in, as needed. Surely by now some alarm or another was sounded though she had hopes that their backup in the control room was ensuring that didn't get out of hand. Getting out of here would still be rather difficult none the less after this.

<< I don't know that there's anything special about her... I don't have intel on the queen. Be careful. I'm going to fall back and see about securing our exit. >>

Artemis has posed:
Well, that was probably a mistake. Who says weaknesses can't be your ally? She gets punched right into a wall and Artemis lets out a cry of pain as she falls to the ground and then her teeth clench, "Did...I just get punched by a gorilla?" She looks up with her eyes on proverbial fire. She puts out a hand and opens it, "Mistress." And her axe teleports to her hand before she rushes forward again, this time she throws the axe for Grodd while on the way there but she doesn't rely on that. She leaps mid-air and aims straight for Grodd with both hands open.

Shang-Chi has posed:
With the guard down, Shang-Chi surveys the situation quickly. While he's confident he could maneuver within and around the melee taking place around Grodd, he attempts the alternate track, moving to slip beyond the thrones to join Batwoman in securing Boca, approaching the Gorilla Queen with open palms showing, and a clam expression, hoping she understands English as Grodd does:

"Please understand, we wish no harm upon you and your people. But your husband has undertaken an act that could lead to war upon you from the whole of humanity. We wish only to prevent it before it occurs."

Tim Drake has posed:
With Grodd blinded, now crippled (though not permanently, likely much to JT's eternal chagrin) from the shotgun blast, and otherwise distracted from maintaining any form of mind-control... and more concerned with batting the incoming blob of axe out of the air as he barely discerns it in his vision as a dark shaped missile. Which he does, snarling. Before he gets hit on three sides: left by Nightwing with electrified escrima; right by Red Robin with a whistling bo staff; and center with Artemis and the double-handed whammy.

He crumples.

Boca sits, huddled behind the throne, dazed and blinking as if she is coming out of a long sleep as Batwoman and Shang-Chi carefully approach her. She rubs her head in confusion. "What's going on?" she rumbles. As the haze clears, her eyes look warm and intelligent. Perhaps not the sort of person you'd think would be married to a jerk like Grodd! She blinks at Shang-chi. "What? My husband? Solovar would never--" and her eyes narrow slightly. "...Grodd."

Dick Grayson has posed:
Sticks and stones may break Grodd's bones, and well, that is kind of the plan. After a spectacular show of violence, Nightwing remarks dryly, <<Well, that worked,>> and looks to the current situation going on, <<Crap,>> he scowls and says, <<We need to get him to the prison, get him out, keep her busy, move!>> With that, Dick moves to interpose himself between the two, "Wait, wait! Perhaps this can be resolved peacefully, I can assure you he will be thoroughly punished for his crimes." Hopefully buying time for the others.

Jason Todd has posed:
Red Hood smirks inside his helmet as he looks down at Grodd. "/That/ was for how much that transformation hurt you son of a bitch," he tells the downed ape, but he leaves it at that for now as Boca comes out from behind her throne. "Ooh, yikes," he says when she says her husband is someone other than Grodd.

Hood leans his weapon against his shoulder, the casual stance belying the way he keeps an eye on the queen and her downed guards, ready for what he assumes will be the inevitable betrayal.

Kate Kane has posed:
Batwoman nods at Shang-Chi's words, but the Queen's manor surprises her a little. "Uh, yeah, about that. He's being seen to right now, why don't we go and find your husband? Solovar is his name, right? Maybe he can help us get everything back to normal?" She asks, she gestures at Grodd. "As you can see the fine gentleman holding the shotgun has already beaten his ass, and we'll make sure he gets put into a secure cell so he can't cause any more trouble here, but we should make sure that Solovar is okay."

Artemis has posed:
A smirk and she looks down at the gorilla before dismissing her axe. She looks then over to the woman and then at the others. She considers the downed gorilla before saying, "I say we just give him to her." She points at the woman gorilla, "She looks angry enough to do what is needed." She nods her head and looks down at Grodd before looking up to Kate and then shrugging, "Not sure why we are going through the trouble for such a beast."

Shang-Chi has posed:
Shang-Chi's eyes narrow, as some inkling of the full situation becomes apparent. "I apologize for the confusion and suddenness, but we have a representative here from Wakanda. I suspect she will be prepared to take Grodd into custody and you may have time to...fully consider the measure of justice that should be meted upon him alongside the Wakandans, as well as time to set matters right here within your home."

He nods to Batwoman, "Yes, starting with finding your husband."

Tim Drake has posed:
Boca rises to her feet, shaking her head as if to shake out cobwebs. "As Queen of Gorilla City," she says, "I must both welcome you and apologize for anything that one of my people has inflicted upon you. Yes, we must look for my real husband and the true king of Gorilla City, Solovar, at once, but until he is found I am happy to treat with those of Wakanda." She lets out a deep sigh. "As for Grodd-- I will not deny his extradition to Wakanda. We have no quarrel with them, nor do we wish to have such. My husband has long been quietly a friend of one of their number, a man named M'Baku. He speaks well of them. Perhaps this may lead to a more formal alliance between our peoples."

She scowls down at Grodd's form. "For now, get him out of my sight." She reaches over to the throne and taps on a datascreen on the arm. A handful of guards come in, cautiously, but bow before her. "Assist these humans in removing this traitor from our city," she commands. "And General?" One of them perks up hopefully. "We must speak at once." She looks to the Bat Family and Artemis. "You have my blessing to come and go as you wish from our city as this terrible issue is resolved."

And so it goes, Grodd is taken into custody and brought to Wakanda.