"You'll never find a greater hive of scum and villainy."
Or something along those lines at least. Perhaps not so long ago people thought that about the city stretched out around him. Of course, there were probably people who still though such things about Gotham City. It didn't matter.
Was Gotham a bright shining jewel like Metropolis? No. Was it as bad as some backwater spaceport on some unimportant planet that didn't exist in the first place? Hell no. Gotham was what it had always been - a place where hope still lived, even if it was a little tarnished around the edges. And that hope had only grown over the last three years.
The city had been held in the grip of fear by a deranged madman. Once the dust had settled, Gothamites had shaken themselves free of the debris and moved on with their lives. In that they were united, but that was perhaps the only thing that brought them together. In everything else the city was still split.
There were normal people who simply wanted to be left alone to live their lives. The mobs had consolidated themselves somewhat, keeping a lower profile than they had in the past. They had to. Survival meant not getting caught - and you never knew when he might decide to drop in for a visit.
Batman.
It was a name that brought out a rather varied mix of emotions. For some, he was the hope that allowed them to sleep at night. For others he was a menace. One that needed to be locked up with the dregs he dropped off at the police stations every night. And for others still he was bad for business.
Even those that wanted him strung up in the town square had to admit that crime was no longer quite so bad in the city they chose to call home. If nothing else he had done that much.
No one knew him beyond the wild stories and blurry photographs that appeared in the papers on occasion. And that was exactly how he wanted it. There didn't need to be a face or a name known to anyone. Others might not agree, but there were distinct advantages to working alone.
Unfortunately for him, life had something else in mind for the man of shadows. Something he certainly never planned for.
AN:
Well, some of you probably know I was deliberating on posting the rewrite or something all new. Guess which one was closer to being done!
If you've read my other collection of Batman drivel, there will be a few familiar things. Certain scene elements were kept, but everything has a nice new face lift. So while a few things are similar (names and places) this is relatively new.
The entire thing is written, but I haven't decided how often to post yet. Could also agree to beta-readers if someone really wants to. Either chapter by chapter or the whole thing. Will survive without one, but it's always nice to have some extra eyes looking at things. I tend to scare people off it seems though...so yeah.
Anywho, enjoy I suppose. =P