Note: Batman, his rogue's gallery, supporting cast, and all affiliating characters are owned by DC Comics which is a Time-Warner Company. For the purpose of improving my skills as a writer and for your and my entertainment I'm merely borrowing them for this mystery story.

Note 2: This is an AU fic and takes place outside of the current continuity.

BATMAN in

THE COPY BAT

By

Mimick

Gotham City…

Standing on a high skyscraper looking over the city was the dark knight. His cape was fluttering in the wind as he peered down into the darkness the below. The sounds of gunshots and women screaming came in loud and clear to the sound amplifiers built into his cowl.

He fired a grapnel to an adjacent roof and swung down into the darkness below. His special lenses allowing him to see in the dark better then most people could. He spreads his cape as he glides down and drops on top of a mugger with a loaded pistol.

With a quick chop to the hand, the gun hits ground and a blow to his midsection and then a chop to his neck leaves the mugger unconscious. As the Batman hands the woman her purse, she stared at him with an odd fascination. It was a fascination that took a hold of her and wouldn't let go over even into the next coming days and weeks.

Gotham Savings and Loan…

"Brittanie? Brittanie? Come to your senses, girl. You have a customer."

Brittanie shook her head and then smiled at the simply gorgeous man in front of her. He had the most amazing blue eyes and slick backed black hair.

"How can I help you sir?" Brittanie asked.

"Hello, my name is Bruce Wayne."

"Mister Wayne? My god I'm so sorry. I didn't recognize you."

"That's okay, Brittanie. How is everything today?"

"Everything is running smoothly, Mister Wayne. Mister Heyser still wants to make an account with us and the board has been looking for you all day."

"Well, I guess I can't keep them waiting then can I?"

Brittanie shook her head as she watched Wayne walk off into the elevator to go upstairs.

The Board Room…

The board members sat around the table waiting for Bruce to finish reading Mister Heyser's proposal. The offer he was making would be both beneficial to Gotham and to every one involved. The problem was Bruce was suspicious of why Heyser wanted to have so much put into the Gotham Savings and Loan.

"I'm not sure about this."

"Come now, Bruce, this will be good for business," Fidel Wiggens said.

"I agree. I think we would have a lot to benefit from this," Alfredo Romany said.

"Why do I get the feeling if this comes to a vote I will be out voted?" Bruce chuckled

Bruce grabbed a pen and signed the paper and then got up from his chair and wished the fellow board members a good day.

The Bat Cave…

It was the after hours and Bruce Wayne has long discarded the mask of a multi-billionaire playboy. As he runs through the Batcomputer's database. His mind wanders back to earlier this morning when he as the President of the Board of Gotham Savings and Loan signed the agreement to take in Mister Heyser's money.

"Is something bothering you, Master Bruce?"

"I'm just wondering about this Roger Heyser character, Alfred. This morning I was approached to sign the agreement that would allow Heyser's money to be held by Gotham's Savings and Loan."

"You suspect him of foil play or some such?" Alfred asked.

"I don't know yet, but I will be keeping an eye on him."

"Oh that reminds me, Master Bruce. I have left out your usual attire for this evening and you have a call from Miss Westhold."

"Brittanie? What did she want?" Bruce asked as he slipped his cowl on.

"She didn't say much. Just that she was sorry for earlier."

"That's the second time she's apologized. Poor girl must have a lot on her mind. Anyways I'm off to go on patrol, Alfred."

"See you later sir."

Gotham Harbor…

A shadowed figure descends onto the port side of the Dixie rose. He pulled his cape closed as he walked along deck. His eyes darted back and forth as he scanned his surroundings. The sound of chatter could be heard just ahead and the figure ducked into the shadows.

"I hope this plan of yours works, Heyser. I'm not going to allow my money to waste away in some rotten hell of a city."

"Keep it down," Heyser said, "Listen Carmella; this is a fool proof plan. Once everything blows over in the west then we can take our money and leave."

"You better hope your right."

The shadowed figure watched as the woman called Carmella left. After she was gone he turned his attention to Heyser. As he crept out of the shadows, he looked around to make sure he and Heyser were the only ones on deck. Once he was sure. He grabbed a hold of Heyser and picked him up off the ground.

Heyser kicked out with his legs and yelped as the figure pinned him to the wall with his own arm pinned behind his back. He saw the shadow of the bat cast over him and he was visibly shaking.

"B-Batman – what do you want?"

The shadowed figure leaned his mouth close to Heyser's ear and said barely above a whisper, "Vengeance."

He then applied a cable around Heyser's throat and tossed him overboard. The audible sound of Heyser's neck snapping could be heard and the vigilante smiled before he disappeared into the night, leaving a batarang as his calling card.

The next morning…

Commissioner Gordon looked over the crime scene and couldn't believe that the Batman had gone over the edge. The first time this happened it was revealed the Man Bat was responsible. Though, the Gotham City P.D. never managed to capture the Man Bat. The time after that it was a cop who had gone over the edge and actually thought he was Batman. But this time seemed to be different.

Gordon had no plausible excuses this time. He could see the look on Bullock's face as the detective looked over the corpse. He also knew that Mayor was going be all over his case about the G.C.P.D.'s alliance with the Batman.

"Y'know Commish, I know how much ya appreciate the Bat's help. But he's crossed the line here. He has ta be brought in fer this one," Bullock said as he walked up to the Commissioner

Gordon sighed, "I've got no choice, but to agree, Bullock. Put out an all points bulletin for the Batman."

Wayne Manor…

Alfred started to walk into the gymnasium, but he was unsure if he should. He knew Master Bruce for years and the fact that the paper he was reading suggested that the Batman was killer had turned his stomach.

Master Bruce would never kill any one no matter what the scenario was. He loathed lethal force and guns being used on any body. Yet, Alfred knew that Master Bruce would be upset if he didn't see the morning headlines.

"Master Bruce, I have something to show you."

"What is Alfred?"

Alfred handed the Bruce the paper after Bruce finished his last squat and the Dark Knight couldn't believe his eyes. He tore the paper up as he was livid with rage.

"I wasn't even near the Harbor last night. I was busy patrolling the East End."

"I am sure you will get to the bottom of this Master Bruce."

"I intend to."

Gotham Savings and Loan…

Brittanie was working away at helping customers when two large thugs pushed their way through the line and glared down at her.

"We'd like to make a withdrawal."

"Do you have an account with us?"

"No, just put all the money you have in the bag and make it quick."

"Excuse me?"

The thugs drew their hidden guns on her and she started stashing cash in a bag after tripping the silent alarm. Once the bag was full, the thugs inconspicuously made their way out.

As they crossed into a dark alley, a shadowed figure dropped down from above and they pointed their guns forward only for a batarang to slice their gun hands off. The two criminals screamed as blood poured from their severed wrists.

The goons looked up as the shadowed figure descended over them and they breathed their last breath. Once the cops arrived they again found a batarang, but this time with blood on it.

Gotham Harbor…

Batman dropped down from above and adjusted his night vision lens to filter out the excess light. As he began looking over the crime scene he noticed there was some scrapes against the wall. Using his crime kit he flicked off the metal flakes and then started his examination of the rail.

"Whoever did this, had to have been pretty strong and skilled," Batman thought to himself, "Heyser weighed a good two-seventy and the way he was hung suggested that the murderer held him there with his strength alone until he was satisfied before tying the corpse to the rail."

Batman heard a gun hammer cock and he turned to see Detective Rene Montoya coming around the deck. Batman used his zip line and seemingly vanished from sight.

"I could have sworn some one was here."

"Ah, you've got bats in yer bell free, Montoya."

"Yeah, I sure do, Harvey."

The East End…

The costumed murderer carefully inspects his weaponry and his costume before his next patrol. He runs a hand across a family picture that was split in half with only the mother being shown while the father and child were missing from the picture. The murderer sat the picture down as he got dressed.

Tonight was to be yet another night for Vengeance.

Acme Props warehouse…

A silent figure watches the television report about Batman mysteriously killing criminals and innocent people and he snaps. He takes the gun that was laying on the end table and blows the television up with it.

"Has Bats lost his marbles? I'm supposed to kill people. He's supposed to protect people," The Joker said as he paced the room, "This just cannot stand. This Means War Bats!"