And Now, The Gnus.

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

A steel-drum rendition of a typical nightly news theme can be heard - a familiar antennaed silhouette sits behind a desk, holding a stack of papers. As the lights come up, the three-piece suit and bad toupee are revealed.

"Good evening. Our top story tonight - famed comic book writer Mark Millar has been killed in the Marvel Universe, causing a spontaneous outpouring of joy amongst the heroes of that world. When asked to comment on the seemingly out-of-character celebration of a human being's death, several sources simply shrugged and said that it made for 'a better story.' More on that as it develops."

He looks to his co-anchor, a familiar mute kewpie doll in a red superhero jumpsuit - ALSO wearing a bad toupee. "I'm Ambush Bug, and this is my co-anchor, Cheeks. Welcome to WTDC Channel 5 News. Other hard-hitting stories, sports, and weather, all coming up next. Stay tuned."

Comments

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"Probably takes better guidance than most of them get, I suspect. There's a lot of trouble out there- and putting a teenaged kid right in the front line? That can just be asking for trouble, if you don't pay attention to what you're doing."
Something amuses Nightwing about the question, for some reason. It is a mystery.

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Well, of course, the outline's a little fuzzier if we're talking about an actual sidekick type, under direct supervision of an adult vigilante. Like Cheeks, here."

He holds up the kewpie doll.

"So you wouldn't recommend regulating it via law?"

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"Hi, Cheeks." A little grin for the kewpie.
"Uhm... well, I think legal regulation wouldn't be a bad idea- but it'd be foolish to try to use just the same laws that govern ordinary child endangerment. Uh... well, let's take Batman, since there's someone I know. The second Robin, he would've gotten... Jeez, I'm arguing against myself in my head, here. Let me try that again kids are going to get involved in this kind of stuff- and when they do, it's better there's a strong adult role model to keep them out of trouble. The law can't stand in for that adult authority figure."

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Of course, there's a fine line between protecting a kid who's gonna vigilante-up anyway, and encouraging one who might've called it quits. Hard to make that distinction, I guess."

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"'Vigilante-up', that's a good way to put it. It's a definite distinction- and the problem is, the kids who are in it for the kicks, because it's not something they get at home, or because of the thrill of the chase and all that- they're the ones who need the supervision the most. But the question becomes how to tell them apart from the ones who are in it for doing the job, doesn't it? I... don't really have a thought on how to do that."
No no, he's not thinking about Jason Todd at all.

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Well, it's a complex issue. Though, I think requiring more green elf-booties would discourage a lot of kids."

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"...actually, those were my idea."

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"... the green scale panties, too?"

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"...I was twelve, okay??"

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Should I even ask about the big-collar Nightwing outfit?"

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"A slight modification of one of my father's costumes. And let's face facts: nobody's looking at the collar."

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Did you ever get caught by a gust of wind in that thing, while swinging on a bat-line? I bet you'd go up like a kite!"

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

"--okay, who died and made you Edna Mode, anyways?" He's more amused than put out.

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I'm not bashing, hermano, I'm just speculating! We're cool. It's all cool."

[dickgrayson.livejournal.com]

That makes Dick laugh.

"Well, we both like the new costume better, I think?"

[the-ambush-bug.livejournal.com]

"Simple. Understated. Bulletproof. High marks all around, bubbie!"