DC: Democracy’s Last Hope

Chapter 11 – The Breaking Point

The courtroom suffocated with silence. The judge's gavel had barely hit the desk before Nathaniel Crane turned his sharp gaze toward Ibrahim.

"You don't understand the war you're waging, Al-Farooq."

Ibrahim held his stare, unfazed.

"Oh, I understand perfectly."

Crane chuckled, shaking his head as he slowly stood. The smugness in his expression made Ibrahim's skin crawl.

"You think you've won something here? That exposing a few signatures changes anything? The Court of Owls has survived purges, betrayals, even Batman himself. You are nothing more than an annoyance—a clever one, I'll admit—but still just an annoyance."

Ibrahim took a step forward.

"Tell that to the people you had locked away in Arkham. Tell that to their families."

The jury shifted uncomfortably. Ibrahim could see some of them waver. Crane's words had been calculated; he was trying to paint himself as a necessary evil.

Ibrahim needed to push him over the edge.

"How does it feel, Crane? To finally stand in the light? To no longer hide behind the shadows like a coward?"

Crane's smirk twitched.

"Watch yourself, lawyer."

"Or what?" Ibrahim's voice hardened. "You'll send your Talons to kill me? You'll try to disappear me like the others?"

A silence fell over the room. The implication hung heavy in the air.

Crane's fingers curled into fists.

"You should be careful with your accusations, Al-Farooq."

"Or what?" Ibrahim stepped closer. "You'll have me committed? Or are you finally realizing that the law is one weapon you can't control?"

For the first time, Crane's mask cracked.

His composure shattered.

He lunged.

The entire courtroom erupted into chaos as Nathaniel Crane—a man known for his cold calculation—lunged across the table and tried to strike Ibrahim.

Gasps filled the air. Security rushed forward as Ibrahim sidestepped the attack, his system already predicting the move. Guards tackled Crane to the ground.

"You think this changes anything?" Crane spat, his voice breaking into madness. "You're a fool, Al-Farooq! Gotham is ours! Always has been, always will be!"

The judge pounded the gavel furiously.

"Enough! This court is adjourned! Bailiffs, remove the defendant!"

Crane struggled, his once-perfect demeanor gone. His true nature—the fury of a man who had ruled in silence for too long—was now exposed.

Ibrahim simply watched, his system flashing a quiet notification.

[Court of Owls Psychological Profile Updated: Increased Instability Detected.]

They were slipping.

They were losing control.

But then—

[New Threat Detected. Immediate Danger: 99%.]

Ibrahim's breath caught.

His instincts screamed.

The courtroom doors burst open.

And the Talons arrived.

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