Batman

Arc 1

Beginnings

Chapter 1

Gotham city, it's a stormy summer night, but that doesn't stop the bustling night life as usual. People rush to and fro, store to store, going on with their lives as always. Amongst them tonight, are the Waynes. Stepping out of the theater, the Waynes are part of Gotham's elite, living the high life off of Thomas Wayne's salary as a doctor.

"Can we get Ice cream before we go home?" Young Bruce Wayne asked his parents.

"It's awfully stormy tonight Bruce, maybe tomorrow." His mother told him.

"Nonsense, there's an ice cream parlor a block over. We'll just cut through the alley." Thomas Wayne told them, leading across the street and into the alley.

The family made their way through the darkened Alley, winding with the twists of the buildings. They rounded a corner, seeing the street in at the end of the way, when the figure seemed to fall out of the sky. The family jumped back, gasping. As the figure raised a pistol to the family, Thomas pushed his family behind them to protect them.

"We'll give you everything we have, just don't hurt my family." Thomas Wayne said.

The figure ignored those words. He held his weapon firmly, and fired three times. Thomas jerked as the rounds hit him, before falling forward. Martha ran forward to check on her husband, but was gunned down before reaching him. Bruce stared horrified at his Parents' bodies before looking up at their killer. The figure aimed at the boy, and pulled the trigger. Bruce closed his eyes tightly and waited to die.

After a few seconds, he opened his eyes. All he saw was red. He blinked a few times before realizing that it was a fabric and not blood. He stepped back, taking in the massive man in front of him. Bruce's parents killer took off running. The Super hero turned his head back at Bruce, frowning at the boy's misfortune, before taking off into the air after the fleeing criminal. With the two men out of sight, Bruce looked down at his parent's bodies. Walking over to them, he shook his mother, then his father. Realizing they were gone, he let out a sob. He began crying, and then screaming.

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"Care to join us Mr Wayne?"

Bruce Wayne shook his head, driving the haunting visions away. He found himself back in his class room, the teacher watching him expectantly.

"Yes, of course. Sorry Professor Crane."

"I encourage day dreaming, Mr. Wayne, but now is hardly the time. As I was saying, the human mind is easily guided. You can be easily be manipulated without even realizing it's happening."

Bruce listened to the Professor continue his lesson, but he couldn't help but have phantoms of that night come back to him. They had haunted him nonstop in the 12 years since that day. He tried everything, therapists, drugs, none could drive them from his dreams. Finally, he had given up sleep in hopes from stopping the nightmares. It hadn't worked however, as they still drove themselves into his day to day life.

Once the class had ended, Bruce made his way outside of the building. He went down the steps, and found the car waiting for him. Standing next to it was Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's butler, and only true friend. Alfred pulled open the rear door as Bruce approached.

"A good day at school today, master Bruce?"

"Normal." Bruce said quietly, climbing into the back of the car.

Alfred shut the door, and went back around to the driver's side. Starting the engine, he pulled the car away from the University. They drove in silence through the city. It wasn't until they had reached the outer limits of the Wayne compound finally Bruce spoke. "They're getting worse Alfred, I don't know how much longer I can carry on like this."

"Perhaps I should contact Dr. Cassidy again?"

"No, it didn't help last time and it won't help this time."

"Master Bruce, it isn't healthy too..."

"I said no Alfred!" Bruce yelled, throw his door open and darting out of the car even as it still moved.

Bruce heard the car screech to a halt, but didn't look back. He ran as fast as he could into the trees of the woods the surrounded the compound.

"Come back master Bruce!" Alfred called after the youth, watching helpless as the youth disappeared into the thick trees.

Bruce ran, and ran, his heart throbbing in his chest. He felt like it may explode, but still he ran forward, urging his lungs to draw oxygen. What am I running from? He asked himself. He knew the answer. It wasn't Alfred in particular. He just wanted to escape everything. His parent's deaths, his mindless wandering, unsure of what to make of his life. He had already earned 2 degrees, and was working on yet another one. For what purpose though? Even he didn't know why the invisible force drove him to do what he did.

Bruce was completely lost in his thoughts, but even if he had been fully aware, he wouldn't of notice the hole hidden among the undergrowth up ahead. He felt the floor give way, the fall was so fast he didn't have time to panic before he hit the floor hard. He felt pain shoot through his leg, and grabbed it out of instinct. He groaned in pain, checking his leg, and being glad to find it was unbroken. He struggled to his feet, looking up at the hole that he had fallen through. The screech captured his attention He looked back down and saw the animal flying at him. Upon seeing it, he felt something lift from his shoulders. Suddenly, it was clear on what his purpose in life was.