A Batgirl in Academy City: Book 1, Return.

This is Going to be Fun.

Batgirl sat on the outside of an ambulance, as several paramedics used portable X Rays to examine her body.

"You're lucky, they aren't broken, they're fractures." said one paramedic. "That suit of yours takes impacts like armor, you'll need to rest and let em heal a bit, it's a miracle the impacts from your fight didn't make these any worse."

"I can't afford to rest." said Batgirl. "I've got business in Academy City."

"Business or no business, we'll leave that up to the doctor to decide." said the paramedic.  "And your boss wants you to rest too."

The paramedic nodded at Batman before leaving to look at other wounded.

"Come on Bats." said Batgirl. "I'm fine, you know I am."

"Don't overdo it." said Batman. "It won't help if a crime fighter gets killed due to not paying attention to one's wellbeing."

"Says the one who barely gets 3 hours of sleep." said Batgirl. "Seriously, you should have just ONE day where you let me or the others substitute, and you spend that entire day just sleeping."

"HA HA HA HA!!!" A giant burst of laughter was suddenly heard as police hauled of Joy Buzzer, strapped to a gurney with a power negating collar around her neck. "Oh man! Seriously!? You haven't ever heard that one before? COME ON!! THE PUNCH LINE WAS HILARIOUS!!! Okay, I'll say it again.. what do you get when you... eh? What was that joke again?"

"She's me." said Batgirl. "Don't deny it.. she's the part of me that's dark.. the part of me that crosses the line.."

"Batwave monitors detected that your consciousness is inexplicably linked to each other." said Batman. "I think right now, you are currently both still one person, however, with separate bodies, that aspect of you, Joy Buzzer, is able to operate more freely."

"Batman.. something happened to me.. on the blimp.. my lightning turned black.. i-it's happened before.. and... well.."

Batman nodded. "I know.. your psyche was altered when Joy Buzzer came into full bloom.."

"If it happens again.. and this time.. it's even worse.." said Batgirl. "You'll have to break the code Bruce.. you'll have to kill me."

Batman looked down at his student, at her eyes that could be seen through the yellow goggle lenses of her mask.. the eyes of somebody who was prepared to do anything to protect those she loved.

"If you can't.. I'll ask Touma to do it.." said Batgirl. "I know it's a lot.. but.. I was barely stopped the last time I Level Shifted.."

Batgirl placed a strange batshaped remote in Batman's hand.

"This.. isn't what I think it is.. is it?" said Batman.

"That's a trigger Bruce." said Batgirl. "It operates on the same frequency as the MISAKA network which links my Sisters together. It's locked on my AIM Diffusion Field.. the field espers give off 24/7 to create their abilities. There's a thumb print lock which only responds to certain people I care for.. when the time comes.. it will turn my own power against me, and destroy me..  I begged Lucius to make this for me.. and he wasn't very pleased.

"I can imagine why." said Batman. "I won't do it Mikoto, there's always another way."

Batgirl smiled. "You're a kind man. Everybody may see you as a heartless, glum, and paranoid guy.. but I know better.. it's because that you care that you must be heartless.. and it's because you know what the world's like that you are paranoid. I'm being the same kind of paranoid that you're being. This is for just in case.. if all else fails."