DarthMavis13, back with an all-new Batman story. For those of you who have read the original, I am glad you have decided to give this a chance. As I mentioned in my last message, I lost all inspiration for the original. For a long time, after I stopped writing the original, I have thought of this whole new story. So hopefully, you will enjoy this story as much as the last one. I'm here if you have any questions and feel free to leave reviews, those keep me going strong. I shall also continue working on Green Lantern and Mass Effect: Strange Universe. Give those stories a try when you have the chance =D

Rated M for: Strong Language, Scenes of torture, a bit of gore here and there, Sexual content, Use of drugs and alcohol, and of course Violence. This story is not intended to those under the age of 16 (but I honestly don't care how hold you are. And I only say 16 instead of 18 because come on, let's face it. We have ALL started watching Rated R movies when we were like 10 or so). Readers discretion is advised.

For once, I wanted to make a really "Mature" Batman story. I wanted to bring this story along the lines of Punisher (obviously without Batman killing his enemies). I think Batman would be perfect for a more mature tone. Let's bring this up to rated R instead of the usual PG-13. Also, I do not own Batman or any of the characters inside (except maybe a few here and there), this is a story made only for entertainment purposes and so that I may use my imagination to create an awesome story we are all familiar with. Now, without further ado, we shall begin our story.

Prologue.

Every television in Gotham City was turned on to the same channel. They listened to the host and co-host of the news talking about little pointless things, like a fireman rushing to a hospital after multiple burns bruises, or the oldest man in Gotham City dies at the age of 110. Everyone waited patiently for the real news to start. And in no time the host gave it away to Gotham's own Vicky Vale.

Vicky Vale was a beautiful woman in her early twenties, drawn early on by investigative journalism, she started from the bottom working for the daily Gotham newspaper and then she soon rose up to work with Gotham City News. Every bachelor in Gotham was after her hand, but it looked as if she was more in love with her job than anything else. She barely had any free time on her hands because she was so focused with her work that her small one bedroom apartment was filled with papers of different cases, from her personal contact within the Gotham City Police Department or GCPD, that she spends hour's just drinking wine while pouring over each and every sheet.

She was standing in front of a small diner, called Al's Diner, and the place was a wreck. The windows were shattered and it appeared as if countless bullet holes surrounded the small family diner. Cops were seen walking into the camera frame and out of it, trying to contain the area from curious on-lookers. It is no secret that Gotham is the most dangerous city within the United States, a lot of their business comes from the famous Wayne Enterprise, a global company which works on creating modern technology and using it for various of reasons including helping manufacture weapons for the Government which was their biggest contract.

"Thank you, Chet. This is Vicky Vale reporting live with Gotham City News." Vicky began, holding the microphone like a professional. "Earlier today many people heard the sounds of gunshots ringing and echoing all around, on what could have been a very quiet day. Eye-witnesses claim that they saw men dressed in black suits with black masks covering their faces, holding automatic weapons as they shot up the diner. Nine deaths have been confirmed with three mortally wounded, which includes Sal Maroni, Mob Boss of the Maroni family. We speculate with the possibility that this was a Mob Hit. When asked, Lieutenant James W. Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department had nothing to say except giving us a bit of information on the masked gun men."

The televisions all across Gotham switched from Vicky Vale to an image of Lieutenant Gordon standing there with a microphone held in front of him. He kept looking over towards the crime scene and it looked as if he was beginning to become tired, of what? No one knows. Some will say that he is a constant drinker that he goes home drunk and tired but cannot sleep. Others think that just like Vicky, he focuses too much on his job. It was also no secret that his marriage was on the verge of a divorce. Gordon rubbed the light brown hair on his head as he spoke.

"We have been getting reports all-around of these masked men terrorizing small businesses. Further investigation has revealed that these small businesses were owned by various Mob Bosses who live here within Gotham. These men have taken the name, The False Face Society, and has not spoken of their full intent. That is all I can say about the case."

Back to Vicky.

"Thank you, Lieutenant, for answering our questions." She spoke with professional courtesy. "If it is true and the False Face Society has been terrorizing businesses belonging to the Mafia, could this have been more than just a simple mob hit or could it have been an assassination attempt? We go now to a live press conference in Gotham City Hall where District Attorney, Harvey Dent, will shed more light on the case."

Once again the televisions switched from Vicky and Al's Diner to the large white, Greek inspired, building that was Gotham City Hall. A crowd of people, most of them were various investigative reporters others were just scared citizens looking towards their District Attorney for any kind of hope against this dangerous group. Flashes from cameras flashed as Harvey Dent walked out of the building and in front of the podium on the top of the steps so everyone can have a clear look.

While walking out, Harvey was seen flipping a coin which was a habit he has been well known for. Ever since he was a boy, after hearing about the deaths of his friend's parents; Thomas and Martha Wayne, he has strived to learn more about the law so that he may fight against crime in the city he was born in. Since his election as District Attorney, Harvey Dent has done nothing but work with the GCPD to help clean up the mess in Gotham, Crime has gone down at least 4% since his election and each day the percentage increases. A lot of citizens see him as their last hope, while others, like the officers within the GCPD, and has given him the nickname "Harvey Two-Face," thinking that all his charm and smiles were an act.

He wore a dark blue suit and tie. His dark brown hair was combed back revealing his handsome face. As he walked up to the podium, the flashes kept on and different conversations rang in the air. He took a deep breath and moved his arms up and down gently attempting to silent the crowd and in no time they were silenced.

"Thank you all for gathering here tonight. I know many of you must be tired so I will try to make this as quickly as possible so that we may all go home to our families for comfort." He began. Unlike most politicians, he does not read from a piece of paper. He found that he installs better emotions as he looked at every person in the eyes as he spoke and it has worked wonders for him. "I have been working with the Gotham City Police Department diligently in the fight against these men who call themselves, The False Face Society. I wish I could stand here and tell you all that we are close to ending this little vendetta, but you all know that I would not hide the truth from you. We only know a little more than you do but with this knowledge we feel as if we are one step closer to making Gotham City a safe place to live for our families. Let us take a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives in today's tragic shooting and let us all pray for those who have been wounded to make a safe and steady recovery."

And like a preacher in a Church, the people all listened and bowed their heads in respective silence. Only one picture was taken of Harvey bowing his head in silent respect to those who have died today. When he opened his eyes there was a look of sadness and determination in his features as he patiently waited for everyone to look up at him.

"We will beat this. We are a city of strong people. If we pull together in this trying time, we will beat this. Thank you all for being here and I hope you all remain safe until this crisis is over." Harvey said, as he turned and walked back into City Hall, flipping his coin . . .

On the other side of the city, a black gloved hand pushed the power button on his remote and turned off the TV. A shadowy figure in the dark rose out of his large chair and opened the blinds of his window in his penthouse and watched the city below.

"If it is war you want, Mr. Dent. Then it is war you shall receive." The man spoke to himself.

The reflection of the window showed a man wearing a black mask but what was different from his mask compared to the others within The False Face Society was that his mask resembled a black human skull . . .