Chapter 1: Birth of an Avenger.

A dark skinned young man was in a taxi being driven through the city of Gotham. The city even from the ground looked dirty. Litter and filth ran rampant in this city.

Many small business were out of work and, as a result, were boarded up. The city's buildings that were is disrepair were often rebuilt by Wayne Enterprises, but that doesn't stop the issue of what was happening to the businesses.

Looking around, the young man could see that drugs and pretty crime was a problem to say the least. But what about those people that are caught by the GCPD and the vigilante known as Batman? They can either plea insanity or bribe the judge and get off free. It's not like there wasn't any justice in Gotham.

But, it was blind at best.

As the man left the taxi in front of one of Gotham's law firms, wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, the events of what led him here came to mind.

-Riley-

It was like any other night in Gotham. The sounds of screaming in the distance and gunshots. It often sent chills down my spine and terrorised my Mom to think that my Dad could be anywhere near those sounds.

My Mom, Kerry Rivers, and my Dad, Michael Rivers, often argued. My Mom wanted my Dad to stop working for the GCPD since Gotham's police officers have a reputation for ending up dead. It was a dangerous city to work as a part of law and order.

I idolised my Dad. I one day wanted to work with him to make a difference for this dying city. Even the efforts of Batman didn't help matters, only postponed them.

At this point, I couldn't sleep. I got out of my bed and started to re-read my college work at my desk which was cluttered with various law books. It was unbelievable how hard I had to work in order to get to Law School on a undergraduate law scholarship. It took a lot of effort to reach this point,
but at this rate, I may become a lawyer before the month is over, I need to become licenced first.

However, I noticed that there was an question that I had trouble with and I couldn't find any answer in the books that I had... I checked my watch and I know that the library is still open, so maybe I could get it if I hurry.

I got dressed in black jeans and boots with a hoodie and gloves. It was a cold Gotham night.

When I went downstairs, I noticed my Mom sitting in the living room. She's worried about dad. She's always worried. At that moment, I didn't think that she would let me out the front door, so I instead went out of my bedroom window.
If I am quick, she won't notice I am gone.

I walked down a smog filled road in Gotham's residential district close to the Narrows. It was fairly quiet, since going onto the streets of Gotham when it's dark often meant trouble.

Since I had to make it back home before Mom realised I was gone, I decided to take a shortcut through an alleyway. When I entered the alley, I started to get a bad feeling. Dad always told me to stay away from the alleyways.

"Hey kid."

I heard voices come out of the shadows of the alley and noticed more coming.

"Don't you know this is our turf?"

Riley: "Says who?"

Honestly, I thought this was a band of idiots who wanted to be cool. But, maybe saying that didn't make things better.

"Ohhhh... We got a wise guy."

"Yeah, let's show him what we do to wise guys."

I was surrounded by thugs on all sides, I couldn't see a way out of this without fighting.

I've been trained to fight by my dad, but I haven't had an actual fight before.
However, that choice was taken from me when I got punched in the face by one of the thugs. It hit me square in the forehead and I started to feel dizzy even for a moment.

One of the thugs held me up while his friends started to hit me in the stomach.
They were laughing as it was happening. I started to bleed from the mouth as they hit me. This is only a part of what goes on in this city. People like this taking what they want...

I started to kick back and I managed to hit my attacker in the stomach which stunned him. I then managed to get out of the hold that another thug had on me.

I countered another thug's attack and I knocked him down and scored a hit on another thug as they tried to help.

"He must be another mask or something! Let's get outta here!"

The thugs started to run from me. This is the fear that is generated by the vigilantes of Gotham. I had my hood up so they couldn't see my face, but to think they would confuse me... I noticed the blood on my hoodie and I knew that it would be difficult to go to the library with this. I picked a tissue out of my pocket and I wiped my bloody mouth and then I turned my hoodie inside out. I should at least get what I came for before heading back.

But, that was a decision that cost me greatly.

When I reached the library, it was almost about to close, but luckily I knew what book I wanted. The woman at reception was more than happy to let me burrow a book quickly.

"You okay, Riley?"

Riley: "I am fine. Just had to quickly grab a book."

"To think that you already have a Bachelor's degree in Law. It's good that you're getting along fine. You better get home soon though."

Riley: "Don't worry. I know."

However, when I left the library...

Michael: "Riley."

I looked to see a GCPD cruiser outside. It was my father's.

Riley: "Dad? Why are you here?"

Michael: "I should be asking you that. Your Mother called me and told me that you weren't in the house."

Riley: "I had to get a book from the library. I wanted to finish the work I was given."

My dad simply sighed. I walked down the steps to him.

Michael: "Riley... I know that you want to become a lawyer. But, you need to think about what you want to do as a person. Not just what I want."

I sighed and nodded. I couldn't really argue with my dad, you never win those agreements. I tried to get into the cruiser, but dad stopped me.

Michael: "Is that blood?!"

Dad looked at my hoodie and saw that the blood from earlier had come through to the over side of my hoodie.

Riley: "I ran into some people over at the alley."

Michael: "You mean the alleyways that I TOLD you not to go to. They are dangerous,
Riley. The alleyways can be dangerous for people on their own. Even cops don't go into the darkness alone. Your mother isn't going to be happy."

Riley: "At least your training paid off."

Michael: "You even had a fight?!"

Dad shook his head and allowed me into the cruiser and he got into the driver's seat. Dad then hit me in the head with a smack. He would do this whenever I did something stupid.

Michael: "Put this on."

Dad then gave me a spare hoodie. It looked brand new, it was a black plain hoodie. GCPD issue as well.

Michael: "Your mother already is too worried about me. If you come home with blood on your clothes, she'll have a heart attack."

I couldn't really do anything, but stay quiet. Mom really would panic if she saw me covered in blood. Dad is gonna cover for me and he won't let me forget about it anytime soon.

Michael: "Riley. Why do you want to be a lawyer?"

Riley: "I want to save this city. With you."

Michael: "I know. But, when I am gone, what will you do?"

... I didn't really know what to say. I assumed that Dad would be working on the force for a long time and I would work as a lawyer, protecting those that fear the corruption the city had.

When I didn't say anything, Dad just simply sighed.

Michael: "Riley. This city is a place that may need saving. The GCPD sometimes can't do the things that we need to do and there's people who won't let us save this city. Commissioner Gordon does do a good job, but at the end of the day,
we're men fighting monsters. We don't always win."

Riley: "Why are you telling me this?"

Michael: "So you know what's ahead. Depending on the man that you are, this city will attempt to make or break you. Who will you be? Saviour or Corrupt?"

Riley: "I won't become corrupt. I'll do my best to save this city."

My dad smiled at that and I smiled as he rubbed my head. I may be too old for that,
but I want to make my dad happy as possible.

Michael: "Well, we better go back..."

Dad then started the car, but a blinding light was behind us. When Dad looked, he tried to step his foot down on the pedal and we sped off! I was in a panic for a moment, trying to figure out what was going on.

Riley: "Dad?! What's happening?!"

Michael: "Stay down, Riley!"

At first, I didn't understand what he was saying, but loud banging sounds came from behind us. The windshield window at the back of the car smashed open and the sounds of metal clanging could be heard on the back of the car.

Those were gunshots! I got down quickly as I saw my dad take out his gun and open fire on our attackers. We were being chased by someone!

Dad made a sharp turn and he picked up his radio from the policer scanner.

Michael: "HQ, this is Officer Rivers! Squad car 12! 11-99, request assistance!"

11-99 means that dad is calling for backup.

Riley: "Who are these guys?!"

Michael: "Bad people."

Dad tried to escape through the streets, but whoever was chasing us remained close.
My dad didn't panic and was trying to return fire, but there must have been more than one man shooting at us, since dad had to take cover often.

I came up for a moment and looked behind us. There was a four seated car chasing us and three men were shooting at us! A gunshot then whizzed past my head and hit the side mirror! I got right back into cover!

Michael: "Riley, for god's sake! Stay down!"

I did just that. There was no way I could do anything except let dad save us. But, it was at this moment that I saw a terrible sight...

I saw one of the GCPD and he was holding a gun aiming right for us.

Michael: "J-Jack?!"

The man named Jack fired his gun and it hit dad in the shoulder. His blood sprayed out of his wound and it got me in the face.

He lost control of the car and it overturned... My vision spun out of control just as the car did and the car just... Stopped.

The next thing I knew, was that I was hanging upside down and my vision was blurred.
I couldn't see anything and I didn't know where I was and how I got there.

The first person I saw was dad. He was bleeding through his shoulder and he held it along with his gun. He unclipped my seatbelt and tried to drag me out of the car.
But when we got out.

BANG.

Another gunshot...

Michael: "Arghh!"

My dad collapsed against the car, trying to stay on his feet.

Michael: "Damn it! Jack, what are you doing?!"

Jack: "Don Sally sends his regards, Mike."

Jack shot my dad again in the leg and caused him to go to one knee. Jack came up to me and looked at me. But, I was disorientated and I couldn't move an inch.

Jack: "This your son? The future lawyer? Well, I have some advice. Listen kid, when you graduate from law school, make sure you give Don Sally a heads-up. He can make your life a paradise. Or he can kill your mom if you say no. My advice:
don't say no to Sal Martini."

Jack smiled at me as he focused his attention on dad again, but dad whacked him in the back with a collapsible baton. Dad knocked the gun out of his hand. Dad was winning! I couldn't move to help him, but he's my dad, he'll win and come home.
That was what I had though until Jack simply pulled out another gun...

BANG.

Point blank range... The final shot that ended it. Terror enter my mind unlike never before and I watched as my dad fell to the ground. His collapsible baton fell right next to me. I watched my dad and felt he was gonna get back up. Nothing could stop him,
but my dad isn't Superman. He was a mortal and he never got up.

I watched as Jack walked over to me and picked up my dad's baton. He smiled and got in his car and drove off with another car following him, the ones who attacked us. I crawled towards my dad's body. I wanted to know if he was okay or if there was even a chance that he'd make it.

I got to his body and I felt no pulse. No breathing.

Not knowing what to do next... I cried. I didn't know what else to do. Why did dad's colleague turn his back on him. Who was Sal Martini? Why did this have to happen?

Before long, the police arrived.

I was taken to the police station a short time later. I couldn't really understand what was going on. I was a witness in a murder case, I knew that much. But, my dad... Dead?

Right now, I was in front of Commissioner James Gordon, my dad's boss. I didn't know what to make of him up close, but then again, I didn't really think much of him at this point.

Gordon: "Son, are you okay? Do you need anything?"

Riley: "Can we skip this part? You want to ask me if I saw anything?"

Gordon didn't seem to know how to respond. At first, he was a bit surprised, but he remained composed, although I saw through it.

Gordon: "Who did this to your father?"

Riley: "I don't know. I hit my head in the crash and I couldn't hear or see anything. Just blurs."

I was lying. I did in fact see who it was and even the person behind it. But, I didn't think I could say anything yet. I don't know who this Sal Martini is or if the entire GCPD is in his pocket.

Gordon: "I can't do anything if you don't say anything."

Riley: "There's nothing to say, Commissioner. My dad is dead and I don't know why or who did it."

I told my story like that. My dad pulled me out of the car after we were shot at and the car overturned. When I came to, my dad was on the floor and wasn't moving. Gordon didn't show signs that he wasn't happy with this investigation.

Gordon: "Let's go. Your mother's waiting."

Gordon opened the door outside the interrogation room and led me out into the precinct.

My mother was seated there and she was crying. When she saw me, she ran towards me and hugged me.

Gordon: "Mrs Rivers. We will find out who did this."

My mom never said a word, she just cried as she held me in her arms.

As Gordon walked away, the world stopped for a moment.

I looked around and saw police officers, detectives, lawyers... I didn't know how many were corrupt. I started to think that maybe protecting the innocent wasn't enough to save this city. There are too many bad people and not enough good to fight back.

Dad... I promise. I will save this city.

-Gordon-

After I spoke with Riley Rivers and led him back to his mother. I went to the roof.

I had quit smoking, but today... Well, today I made an exception.

Michael Rivers was a good cop. To think that criminals are brave enough to start shooting cops. But, it might not even be a criminal, it could have been another cop. No matter what I do, it seems like dirty cops are common.

Mob bosses are on the rise, as if we didn't have enough to be worried about.

?: "Problems, Jim?"

Ah, I was wondering when he would show up. I turned around and saw him. Standing there.

Gordon: "Like you wouldn't believe."

Batman listened to my story. About Michael Rivers being shot. And his son was there to witness it all.

Batman stood there eerily silent as if he was remembering something. The whole ordeal brought back unpleasant memories. When the Waynes were murdered... Bruce Wayne was devastated to say the least and rightfully so. I look at Riley and all I see is: nothing. Like he didn't know what to do or think.

Gordon: "You okay, Batman?"

Batman: "I'm fine, Jim. But, who would want Officer Rivers dead?"

Gordon: "Hell if I know. Michael was one of the good ones. He often spoke about his son to us. 17 and already almost finished Law School with a law degree. Kid's gonna make a hell of a lawyer someday."

When I turned around, Batman was already gone.

Gordon: "Every damn time."

-Riley-

When we got home, Mom didn't know what to do. She immediately went into the pantry and she pulled out alcohol. She just put the bottle to her lips and drank.
I didn't know what to do myself. After what happened, can I even stop her?

Mom just sat on the living room sofa and she kept drinking. I just watched her drink until the bottle was empty, then she simply lied down and soon fell to sleep.

I think it was at this point that law and reality met. I knew that cop would simply walk. Not enough evidence to put him away. My testimony wouldn't be enough.
He could say that I was clearly 'dazed and confused' from the crash. The wheels of justice would let him escape.

But, I didn't give my testimony, because... I wanted justice.

Riley: "Mom, I'm going out for a bit."

I told her that I was leaving this time. Even though, she wasn't awake to hear it.

I went upstairs to my room and I pulled out all sorts of cloth. A ski mask, a sleeveless skin-tight top, gloves, and black tactical pants with black boots.

If I can't rely on the GCPD or the courts, then I'll do this myself.

Sally Martini. The type of man that will pay others to do his dirty work and will keep the good people unable to touch him.

What chance does this city have if those who are good do nothing?

I went down to my dad's garage and found a motorcycle. My dad used to love motorcycles,
but grew out of them, but kept his prized bike with him. He would tell me stories about when he took it out for a spin... Well, time for a new story. I put on a helmet.

I took a can of spray paint that dad kept in a small cupboard and painted over the license plate. I then took the keys from inside the cupboard and started up the cycle, driving it into the night.

The first thing I did when I got onto the streets was exactly how empty Gotham's residential streets were at this time of night because people were scared to come out and risk being mugged or assaulted, or worse. Since the Narrows is known for it for having the highest crime rate in Gotham, going out on the street is a guaranteed danger.

Finnigan's. That's where I went first. Dad said that it was popular for police officers in Gotham. He was asked to come there with a few friends but always came home instead.

Right now, I was inside a police cruiser. Waiting on someone.

-Jack-

It was a bitter sweet time for me right now. Right now, I was on the phone to Don Sally Martini in the restroom at Finnigan's.

Sally: "You killed that cop, right?"

Jack: "Yeah, I shot him. But, Sal... What about Gordon?"

Sally: "Don't worry about Gordon."

That was hard to do. Everyone knew that Gordon was in league with the Bat.
And I left Michael's kid alive, but he never ratted me out. I must have scared him.

Jack: "When am I getting paid?"

Sally: "Excuse me?"

The tone of Sally turned to confused.

Jack: "My payment. For killing the cop."

Sally: "Oh, that payment. You mean the payment for making Michael Rivers'
death look like an accident and not a gun down? That payment?"

I gulped down my own spit. I was supposed to kill Rivers and make it look like an accident!

Jack: "Don, there were some problems..."

BANG.

I heard a gunshot over the phone.

Sally: "That is one of the men that I GAVE you to help. He just walked in so I just gave him his payment."

Jack: "Now, Sal, please. There weren't any witness..."

Sally: "Really? Didn't you leave the kid alive?"

Jack: "He's too scared to even speak. Gordon had him in an interrogation room.
No one has tried to touch me."

Sally: "Really? That's good, because if that wasn't the case, you would be receiving payment in a toilet in Finnigan's right now."

I started to sweat through my shirt and I looked around looking for a camera or something. He knew where I was.

Sally: "Do we understand each other, Jackie?"

Jack: "Yes, Sal."

Sally: "Good."

Sally hung up... I wasn't going to get paid and there was the threat of Gordon,
Bullock, and internal affairs breathing down my neck.

I had to leave. Maybe get outta Gotham for a few days... No, then they will know it's me who shot Rivers... What the hell do I do now?!

I left Finnigan's after the call from Sally. Maybe I should just pretend nothing happened.

I got into the police cruiser. I'll just go back to the station and come off-duty and go home.

?: "Going home, Officer?"

A voice came from behind me and I looked back. There was someone dressed in a ski mask wearing all black.

Jack: "Who the hell are you?!"

?: "Just a person who wants to talk."

This guy... Was he sent by Sally? No, he's some kind of freak, like Batman or his sidekicks!

Jack: "Get out of my car before I arrest you."

?: "Arrest me? On what charge? How about I arrest you on the count of 1st degree murder of a law enforcement officer?"

T-This guy... He knows about what I did?!

I tried to reach for my gun, but it wasn't there! I had two guns and they were gone!

?: "Looking for these?"

He was holding both guns! I put my hands up as he aimed one of them at me.

Jack: "Look man, don't shoot. I-I can hook you up with one of the cities' big shots."

?: "You mean Don Sally Martini? Oh, I heard about him. What about him?"

Jack: "I know a lot about him! I work for him on the side and he greases the wheels of life for me. Makes things easy."

?: "Is that why Michael Rivers is dead?"

Jack: "Look, I don't know how you are and how you heard about that, but you should know by now that I have powerful friends. You can't just run to the police.
My friends will chop you apart."

?: "Keep in mind that I am holding the gun. You aren't."

The guy pointed to a part on one of the guns. There was blood on it! That must have been when I shot Rivers at point blank range!

I-I don't have to take this! If I just get him on my side then...

But, he quickly head-butted me.

I feel out of the car and held my nose in pain.

?: "Are you okay? It's funny, since you look a lot better than the Rivers family right now."

Jack: "Argh... You son of a bitch."

?: "Don't worry, this WILL hurt more."

He started hitting me! Again and again... I could feel my own blood flowing out of my nose and eyes as he hit me.

Jack: "P-Please stop."

?: "No."

He continued to punch and kick me and no matter how much I screamed nobody came.
That was the perk of this city when you're a cop. Nobody crosses you, but now...

I then felt the arms of this freak around my neck and pressing down with hard pressure! I was losing my ability to stay awake...

-Riley-

It would be so easy for me to go a little further and break Jack's neck. Honestly, I wanted to. I felt the rush of hitting him over and over! This man shot my dad!

Why shouldn't I kill him?!

But, what justice would that be? Dad did ask me earlier tonight one question: Saviour or Corrupt? I told him that I wouldn't be corrupt, I would save this city.

But then again... Watching him suffer in prison is better, plus I need Jack alive in order to build a case against Sal Martini.

Also, thanks to the handy tape recorder, I got what I needed from Jack. I'll call the GCPD and have them pick Jackie up...

But, there is something that I want to keep.

I went into Jack's police cruiser and I took out my dad's collapsible baton.

Riley: "This belongs to dad."

I put the baton in a small pouch attached to my leg. I also took Jack's phone took a copy of Sal's phone number. I also went through Jack's messages to Sal...
I had an idea of what to do.

I got back on my dad's motorcycle and sped off.

-Sally-

It's hard to find good help these days. You try to get a cop killed and even a cop can't do it right.

However I never became a king of Gotham overnight. This is just another problem that needs to be fixed.

Ever since the likes of Batman and Gordon came along, Gotham has belonged to the freaks. The Joker, Two-Face, Penguin... Just to name a few. Most respectable people like Carmine Falcone packed up and left us.

That's why I have worked hard to have people inside not just the police department,
but the District Attorney's office too. That's why I've lasted as long as I have,
i have eyes and ears everywhere.

I ate fine foods and drank fine wines every night. Gotham is a fine place to live if you can work through all the filth and turn trash into treasure.

I then received a call from my phone. There was no caller ID.

Sally: "Who is this?"

?: "Hello, Sal."

This person knew me by name? I must be more famous than I thought, which isn't a good thing.

Sally: "What could I help you with, Mr..."

I tried to get his name, but he didn't answer the question.

?: "You could help me with getting some illegally imported military hardware."

... The hell?

Sally: "Who is this?"

?: "An interested buyer."

I began to get frustrated.

Sally: "Listen here! I don't know where you heard about this, but if you don't tell me who you are and I find out, you're a dead man."

?: "Meet me in The Cauldron, near the lockups. You know the place."

Sally: "You mother..!"

The call stopped there. That guy... That's where I keep my stash! He knows that and he's targeting it! He's a dead man walking! NO ONE screws with The Don!

I brought a group of men that were armed with pistols and semi-automatics.
The Cauldron is where the Irish Mob run things, but I have a arrangement with them.

Sally: "Spread out. Find that son of a bitch or anyone that so much as looks like a rat and show him what we do with rats!"

My men then started to spread out and search the lockups. That bastard will be found soon enough.

-Riley-

He fell for it. He came himself which was what I wanted.

But, I don't want to call the police yet. I may have to disarm his little helpers before I call anyone.

"Who are we looking for anyway?"

"Anybody, now keep looking."

Two men with SMGs came this way. I quickly climbed on top of one of the lockups and wanted for them to pass. When they did... I knew what I had to do. I couldn't afford a screw up like I did earlier with those kids.

I quietly got to the ground and I covered the mouth and started choking one of the guards.
I watched the other one with slight panic. Don't turn around. He didn't. So once the first guard fell, I quickly used my dad's baton and placed it through the other guard's arm, twisting his arm in a lock which caused him to drop his gun.

Riley: "Where are your friends?"

"W-Who the hell are you?"

Riley: "If I tell you I'm Batman, will you scream?"

I twisted the thug's arm more causing him to yell. I then kneed him in the head and knocked him out cold. However, his yelling caused his friends to come running so once they did, I hid again inside once of the lockers. I looked inside and found all sorts of weapons... Rifles, shotguns, turrets, grenades... Stun grenades.
I picked up one and slid it under the door.

"What the?!"

"Grenade!"

I heard the cry of the thugs outside as I saw a flash of light from under the door.

When I went back outside, the thugs all looked dizzy and I was easily able to knock them all out with the baton.

It was now time to call the police. But, first... A chat with Sally.

-Sally-

It's been too long! Where have my boys gone to? Have they killed this guy yet?!

I started to load my shotgun that I kept here in the back of the car. He can't get close to me without me blowing his brains out!

I then heard footsteps coming towards me... I-Is it him? I looked out of the car's window and saw no one there. T-This bastard was playing games!

I started to roll up the window, but...

My head was grabbed! I was being pulled out of the car by some guy wearing a ski mask! I tried to shoot him with the shotgun, but he yanked it away from me and tossed it away.

?: "Sal Martini."

Sally: "Who the hell are you?!"

He didn't answer. Instead, he slammed my head into the car door.

?: "You hired a corrupt cop to kill someone who hadn't taken your bribes,
Sally."

Sally: "What?! I don't know who you're talking about!"

?: "Jack Marco. You hired him to kill Michael Rivers earlier tonight. Unfortunate that your friend, Jack, doesn't erase his messages. There's a lot on here that can be used against you."

D-Damn that Jackie... Useless... That's how he found this place. How he knew about my merchandise! He must have gotten to Jackie and stole his phone.

I reached out towards the phone, but the masked man aimed his baton at my face.

?: "You want the phone. Take it."

He tossed the phone to me. What was this guy's deal? All this evidence on this phone... Heh, he must be stupid.

?: "I've already sent the GCPD the details and they are en route now."

My entire being felt crushed when I heard that. I've kept the police away from this lockup, but if they search this place and now they have the messages on the phone...
No lawyer would be able to help me escape prison! I'll lose everything!

Sally: "L-Look... I'll give you whatever you want, just help me."

?: "You killed a cop and a good man, Sally. You deserve what's coming to you."

He said that in a cold and dark way. He meant it. He wasn't gonna be convinced...
If I am gonna go down...

I lunged at him, but he grabbed my arm and threw me to the ground.

?: "No one escapes justice, Sal."

He said that as he walked away from me! This guy, who does he think he is?
Batman?! I ran and picked up my shotgun, but he was gone by the time I did. It was then that I heard the sirens...

-Riley-

I watched from nearby as Sal Martini was surrounded by the police. The lockups were searched and the weapons were found.

Personally, I felt pleased with myself, but that didn't make me feel better.

My dad was still gone, but he had been avenged.

I saw tonight that Gotham needs an avenger, because this city can't be saved in a sense. It died a long time ago and needs someone to avenge it...

But, if I am gonna help this city, I need to help it from both angles.

As I think that, I get back on my dad's motorcycle and ride off. I don't want my mother waiting for me again.

But, when I got home, I started to think since all the adrenaline in my veins thinned out.

If I hadn't snuck out to begin with, would dad still be alive?

Is it my fault he died tonight?

That's the question I asked myself as I removed my vigilante gear.

Dad was a good man and that's why they killed him. Because he was a man that opposed the bad, that why he was killed.

I went into the living room and found mom still passed out on the sofa. I brought her blanket from upstairs and wrapped it over her. I sat down in front of the sofa and simply just rested my head on the coffee table.

-Gordon-

To say that I was shocked and astonished would be an understatement. Right now, Sally 'The Don' Martini was on his way back to the station after we had found military weapons in the Cauldron's lockup. A bunch of his men were out cold and we found The Don holding a shotgun when we caught him, he did surrender without a fight. Jack Marco was found earlier tonight with the weapon used to kill Michael Rivers earlier this evening and we found traces of blood on a uniform in his car and gun, not to mention we found a tape recorder in his car of him confessing that he works for Sally Martini! He apparently was hired by Sally to kill Rivers. With all the evidence here, I doubt The Don or Marco can escape prosecution.

What was the most shocking to me, however, was the fact that according to Sal...
Batman wasn't involved at all. It was someone wearing a ski mask and wearing all black. That sounds like one of Batman's group. Could this be a new guy?

Bullock is searching the place now, looking for signs of a third party. But this guy seemed to know what we would look for and we haven't found a thing.

At least I can give the Rivers family some closure.

-Riley-

A week later, mom, me, my half-brother Rick and half sister, Charlotte attended dad's funeral. Even members of the GCPD including James Gordon and a detective named Harvey Bullock joined us. Heck... Even Bruce Wayne came. My dad knew a lot of people, didn't he?

Mom stood next to me and watched as Gordon did an eulogy for my dad.

Kerry: "Riley... Are you okay?"

Tears started streaming down my face as I watched the casket that held my dad.
Even though, the people who did it was behind bars, it didn't help now.
Part of me wished that Jack Marco was dead and that I did it, but what would that prove to my dad? That his teachings were a lie? No, there weren't a lie.

Kerry: "He was the best man I knew... The only one I loved that wasn't my own blood. He always wanted what was best for you and me. Please, become a good man like he was."

Riley: "I don't think I could."

Rick and Charlotte watched with their father, Kieran Troy. He's an attorney just like I am gonna be.

I looked back at the casket and I balled up my fists. I was gonna make a difference in Gotham. I'll clean up this entire city however possible.

I will avenge this city.

It had been a month since then and I managed to pass Law School and earn my qualifications.

This is a step in the right direction. It's a step to doing what my dad wanted.

As my taxi pulled away, I walked inside the Law firm office. I had sent in my CV and they wanted to see me for an interview. I was sitting outside the offices and waited.

Kieran: "Mr Rivers, how smart you look today."

The head of the firm, Kieran Troy, came out of the offices and walked up to me.

Riley: "Oh, thanks Mr Troy."

Kieran: "Come into my office. Let's have a chat."

And so it begins...

Chapter 1 End.