Bludhaven Commonwealth History

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The Bludhaven Commonwealth was established in 1912 as a whaling town. Socioeconomically poor, the city had tried in vain to transform itself into a manufacturing and shipping center. Corruption always befell the town, but unlike it's elder sister city Gotham, the corruption fell within the law.

In the years following, the citizens were exploited by police brutality, corrupt businesses and law makers in the wake of industrialization. There were no superheroes, no vigilantes present to take it all down. Any heroes who had come from neighboring areas sided with the police regardless. Not coming from the citizens background, these heroes couldn't possibly know that the higher powers weren't there to help.

In short, heroes failed Bludhaven, heroes were enemies of the town.

In the year 1977, a resistance turned for the worst when the police force was deployed. The city's apartment complexes and project housings were empty as every poor resident piled into the streets to protest in absolute defiance. When it first started, they carried signs and shouted through megaphones. They boycotted the officials and went on strike when they went back home. It was civil and the marches were few and far between. About a thirty days went by with nothing more than civil disobedience from protestors. However, one march in particular stood out. Having enough of the lack of care for the low-income housing to where it's unhealthy to live there, having enough of the corruption in their work environments which pushed addictive substances on their families, having enough of being ignored and denied help from the government; they picked up and left to the streets to march.

The police showed up to stop the march, blocking them at edge of where the housing part of the city met the corporation headquarters. Armed and ready, they stood. There was a teenager at the front, urging everyone to go forward even as scared as they were. Before they could go any further, one of the officers grabbed the kid by the shirt collar and threw him face down to the street. When some began to lash out and come forward, that's when they called for backup. The resulting scene, with police teargassing enraged citizens, it looked like police trying to detain a mob.

An officer explained the situation to Batman who instructed Superman, The Flash and Green Lantern to isolate the city. He, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna and Wonder Woman stayed behind. Martian Manhunter didn't understand the destruction that was before them, so he assigned himself to helping up the scared citizens before Batman snapped at him.

When a woman screamed, holding her burning eyes from the tear gas, Batman simply stood over her. An older man came rushing over, trying to get Batman to help his wife. He grabbed at his cloak, pleading for him to help her, but with a quick shove Batman knocked him down on his knees. An officer came to handcuff him while Batman rushed over to a person sneaking away to hide, violently questioning him. Wonder Woman was distraught and uncomfortable about this, but Zatanna comforted her, assuring her that they wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't necessary.

Wrangling citizens was less stressful until Green Lantern lost grip of the buildings he was using to isolate the city. Creating a shake, the unsteady housing complexes started to wobble on the vibrating ground and despite Flash catching most of the debris, many were very or even fatally injured. The heroes looked around for the police, someone to help carry off the citizens to hospitals or at least move them out of the city.

Suddenly, rumbling was heard and everyone looked around, tanks drove up to the street and blasts were fired. The heroes outside were shouting for a cease-fire but the tanks pressed on. Batman came outside to find the tanks. Pleased with this, told everyone that the situation was under control now. Enraged, Flash, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter all lashed out at him. They shouted, they argued loudly about the rights of the people and the brutality of the police until words turned physically violent.

Wonder Woman did her absolute best to get the citizens into hiding as she struggled against Batman. Flash tried to stop the decrepit buildings from collapsing on the citizens as they were captured by the police and Batman. Martian Manhunter telekinetically shoved Batman out of the way and hid residents from the fire. Zatanna rushed in to help Batman, using her magic against her friends. Green Lantern and Superman watched hesitantly as they tried to isolate the city from any more attacks.

When Green Lantern was shot by an officer, the ring's creations withered and Green Lantern fell to the ground. Military officials swarmed the area, tear gas bombs were thrown at cars and in shops, officials were trying to beat down the heroes with missiles, guns and footmen but all they ended up doing was destroying the city even further. Superman tried to explain but he was quickly silenced by Batman.

"We're here to help. There was a riot and the officers here came to detain the violent protesters. We were called in for reinforcements. Some of my subordinates don't understand the nature of criminals, so I had to defend myself." Batman growled it as he walked toward the commander. He strode with importance, it was easy for him to talk but no one else was given the chance to explain or detract from this statement.

Badly injured, a few heroes were taken into custody for recuperation.

However, Bludhaven was decimated and almost all of the protesters were slaughtered.

There was hardly a mention of it on the news and nearly all mention that was on, framed the victims as criminals who thankfully were brought to justice. It was forgotten by some, let go by others and eventually everyone (even the JLA) moved on. Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter would grow more distrustful of Batman and Zatanna but kept that among themselves.

Ten years later the city was paved over and turned into Jump City. The site of the battle was commemorated with a plaque, paid for by the "Thomas and Martha Wayne Foundation" and dedicated to Batman's help in the Battle of Bludhaven.

It would be another six years after that before Battlefield Bludhaven Senior High School was erected in the spot where the battle had taken place in the newly named and constructed Jump City. A lot of people from neighboring areas moved into Jump City as it proved to be much safer than that of Gotham, Civic or New Carthage. It had grown phenomenally in thirty years as it utilized its closeness to the water and transitioned into a port city. With a market street economy, breweries, specialty "craft" coffee and cafes, parks and unconventional recreational areas, Jump City established itself as a fun and creative (but still generally relaxed) place to live.

In 1997, the school was officially opened.

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