A/N: Originally written in 2014. [EU]: Rewrite to plot of Joel Schumacher's "Batman & Robin" (1997), as if it took place in Christopher Nolan's Batman series.
"I need your help."
"I'm not coming back to Gotham."
The man seated across from former Gotham City cop John Blake wasn't Batman - hell, he wasn't even Bruce Wayne anymore, though he did look more like a relaxed playboy than he ever had when he played the role. He was dressed in a rumpled button up and shorts. He looked well rested - happy - something he never was in Gotham City. Maybe it was the change of scenery? Italy could do that to a person, he supposed. Blake, on the other hand, was weary and tired. Protecting a city could do that to a person, he knew.
"How did you even find us?" Selina joined them on the veranda, bringing both of them glasses of orange juice to sip.
"I had some help," Blake admitted to the couple. Alfred. Of course it had been Alfred. "Look, I know it's been a few years... and I wouldn't be asking if I didn't think it were absolutely necessary. There are new threats to Gotham. Pamela Isley and Dr. Victor Fries are-"
Bruce held up a hand, cutting him off. "If they're threatening the city, why are you here?" He asked, staring him down. He had left the mantle of the Batman to Blake because he thought that he could trust him with his city. Had that trust been misplaced?
"Because I can't do this alone! I've gotten word that Isley has been working on some plant-based toxin with Crane. She was a botanist-"
"Working on a freelance basis at Wayne Enterprises. I wanted to keep a closer eye on her research at the time," Bruce finished for him.
"Yeah... Well, it seems like she's out of research mode. Her funding was pulled from Wayne Enterprises, but she's still getting resources from somewhere," Blake informed before taking a sip of the orange juice. He winced. "Does this have alcohol?"
Selina smirked. "Screwdriver. It's brunch," She replied dryly.
John just shook his head and sat aside the drink.
"You mentioned Dr. Victor Fries. What does he have to do with this?" Bruce asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
John sighed. "Fries was a doctor at the new Gotham General. His wife, Nora, was diagnosed with a rare disease and Fries became obsessed with finding a cure-"
"I funded some of his research too on the disease and cryogenics," Bruce admitted and Selina gave him a look.
"How do you remember all of this?" She asked him with an amused smirk and the former billionaire just gave a shrug.
"And again, your funding fell through. Fries got desperate," He mentioned to Bruce. "He got his cryogenic chamber to work, but there were consequences. I believe he's addicted to one of the chemical components he's been working with. He's rigged a suit that feeds him in some of those chemicals. Recently, he's weaponized the suit and begun robbing some of the smaller banks in Gotham. I believe he's planning something bigger. He's desperate - not only to help his wife, but to keep up with his addiction. Neither are going to be cheap and I've gotten word that he's been in contact with Isley and Crane."
"The three of them working together..." Bruce shook his head. Their intellect might prove to be unstoppable.
"That's why I need your help. You were there in the Narrows when Crane's first toxin hit. I was just a kid," John reminded him.
"If he's in, so am I," Selina chimed in. She wasn't about to be left out of the action now.
Bruce looked to her before looking back to Blake. "Go back to Gotham on the next plane out," He suggested. "We'll be back by tonight," He promised.
John Blake gave a nod and left the two to pack.
Bruce Wayne looked out upon the Italian city that he'd chosen to start his life anew. It was so quiet... so tranquil... so bright. He glanced over to the woman he'd made a promise to share this new life with. Were they ready to step back into the darkness?
"It'll be alright, Bruce," Selina promised him, knowing already what was weighing on his mind. "It'll be okay to go home again." She took his hand in her own, leading him away from the veranda. They needed to be ready. Gotham needed it's true hero.
"I like what you've done with the place."
"It's a little damp in here, isn't it? Weren't either of you worried about a mold problem?" Selina asked, looking between the two.
There was no time for pleasantries or jokes, however, as Blake was already moving about the cave. He didn't even look over at the voices - he had been expecting them.
"There was another robbery by Dr. Fries," Blake admitted, already hard at work on the computer, bringing up footage for the former Batman and former thief to look at. He ignored Selina's comment for now. "This time it was in broad daylight."
"He's getting bolder," Bruce surmised.
"And more greedy," John added. "It was a larger bank this time. He had enough time to clear out some of the safety deposit boxes. Apparently Gotham PD's response time was sluggish because they were all affected by something in the air vents. I've gotten samples from Gordon."
"Isley and Crane?" Bruce assumed and Blake nodded. He walked over to the case that held both cowl and cape and opened it. He threw a mass of black kevlar across the cave and Bruce caught it. "Two Batmen?" Bruce questioned, shaking his head.
"Nah... I've been working on a little something else," John assured, pulling out another suit of his own, emblazoned with dark navy blue across the chest.
