Ho ho ho! Happy Holidays everybody! I've decided to take a break from my usual stories to wrote this short one! All throughout December I'll be uploading chapters for this wonderful tale. So let's cut the bullshig and shat and get right to it shall we?
This is a Bat Christmas Carol!
It's Christmas Eve in Gotham City. The streets are bright with Christmas decorations, they're surprisingly calm (for Gotham anyway) and everyone was either celebrating or sleeping soundly.
All except for one.
In the dank, dark chamber of the Batcave, one man was staring at a computer screen laid before him. He was the Batman, the Dark Knight, the Caped Crusader...or as Nightwing liked to call him, Scrooge.
Ok, Batman didn't necessarily not like Christmas, he just thought there were more important things to focus on. He swore to keep Gotham's streets safe, and that's what he planned to do. He continued staring at his screens until he heard some footsteps behind him.
"What is it, Alfred?" He asked.
"You've been watching those screens all day, Master Bruce." Alfred walked up to his master holding a tea tray with some mugs on it. "I think it's high time you took a break."
"I can't, Alfred." Batman responded. "With nightfall here, the criminals will be out soon." Alfred placed a steaming mug on the desk of the Batcomputer. Batman took a sip from the cup. Hot chocolate. "Besides, with Christmas Eve here, they'll catch all the sleeping citizens unaware. I'm staying aware for all of them."
Alfred sighed. "Perhaps you could at least send some Christmas cards to the family, Master Bruce?" He suggested.
Batman paused for a minute before responding. "They'll understand." Alfred put his hand over his face.
"I give up, Master Bruce." He said. "Every year, I try, but I get nowhere with you!" Alfred gathered up the mug he placed on the desk and put it back on his tray. "When you've gathered your holiday spirit, you know where to find me." Alfred went up the elevator back to the Wayne Manor living room.
Batman felt a little bad about flat-out rejecting Alfred's proposal, but chose to feel bad later, as the night was young. On the screen one of the cameras showed graffiti that read: MERRY XMAS BATS!
Batman remembered that encounter just a few days earlier, where the Joker, Harley Quinn, and their gang held up a shopping mall stealing presents and holding children hostage. Joker and Harley dressed up as Santa and Mrs Claus, and his gang members were wearing reindeer antlers along with their usual clown makeup. One with dynamite strapped to him had a red nose.
Batman easily dealt with them, and Joker and Quinn were tossed back into Arkham. Arkham was packed this Christmas. Most of Gotham's super-criminals were locked away this holiday, a fact which Batman was grateful for.
Suddenly, a beeping was heard. Batman looked and saw a "T" symbol blinking in the corner of the screen. He clicked it and a familiar face showed up on the screen.
"What is it?" Batman asked.
"Well, merry Christmas to you too!" Nightwing sarcastically told his old mentor.
Batman narrowed his eyes. He didn't appreciate the sarcasm. "Why did you call me?" He asked.
"What, a guy can't call up his old mentor on Christmas?" Nightwing answered.
"There are more important things you can do." Batman said. "You should be out patrolling the streets."
"Always with the patrolling." Nightwing rubbed his temple. "Y'know, you really need to loosen up around the holidays."
"I can't." Batman answered. "You know that."
"No, you just don't want to." Nightwing said. There was a brief silence before Nightwing looked over his shoulder. "Gotta go. Bah Humbug to you too!" The stream cut and it was back to security camera monitoring again. Batman sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He loved Nightwing like a son, but he could be a real pain the ass sometimes.
The silent staring went on for almost an hour when one of the screens went fuzzy. Batman looked at it, confused before fiddling with it a bit. While he was doing that, another screen shorted out...and another, and another, and another until the entirety of his observation was cut off. Soon after, his Batcomputer went dark.
Batman looked around the Batcave in a battle stance. What had happened? Joker? Strange? Scarecrow?
Batman heard a noise behind him and swung around, Batarang in hand, and nearly dropped it when he saw what it was.
Ho ho how was it? I suppose you all know what happens next but here's the thing: I haven't decided on a name for the character coming up. I want YOUR suggestions! Try to include a Batman lore reference...for me? Anyways, review, follow, share it wit yo friends! Peace out posse!