The Dark Knight of Elmore

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Disclaimer: this story draws inspiration from multiple batman interpretations, to which I'm sure people know I don't own. Also might reference other works to which I once again don't own.

"I can be scary!" "Sorry Dad but no. You are not and will never be scary. The only time you were even remotely scary was when you acted like you were about to kill us." This was the argument that was taking between Richard Watterson and his family inside of the kitchen of the Watterson residence. The dispute started when everyone at the table were swapping stories about weird new crimes around the city. It was when Richard made an offhand comment about how he could be running the city that the family burst into laughter. He made up excuse after excuse as to why he could do it, but sadly everyone just couldn't believe that somebody like Richard had it in him.

"It's true! I could run this entire city if I wanted. I'd be the best criminal there ever was!" Richard proclaimed, leaping atop the table to prove his point. His execution was off though, sending him plummeting to the floor. "Maybe you should start your conquest with the circus first!" Gumball suggested, sending everyone, save Richard, into a burst of laughter. Everyone laughed harder as Richard sat up in anger, brushing off some spaghetti that covered his shoulders. Before anyone could apologize, the man stormed off upstairs in a temper.

"Do you think we were too harsh on him? I mean we've been pranking him for like like what, eight days straight. Remember what happened the last time we did something like this?" Darwin said guiltily. "Trust me; he's gonna be even angrier than last time when he sees the surprise I left for him in the bathroom." As Gumball stated this, painful cries accompanied by loud snapping could be heard coming from the bathroom.

"Gumball you've gone too far! You go apologize to your father right now!" Nicole shouted. "Come on mom, the man's a living joke. He'll get over it. I bet he's laughing it off right now." Gumball was rewarded for his comment with a well aimed meatball, which sent him rocketing from his chair.

"Gumball Tristopher Watterson! You are grounded for the rest of this month!" "But mom!" "No ifs, ands, or buts. Now go to your room." Nicole shouted again, picking up another meatball of doom. It wasn't necessary though because Gumball sped upstairs before she could get an angle.

Despite how hateful the comment sounded, Gumball was right. Richard really was laughing off the incident. Just not in a healthy manner. "They think I can't run this town? They think I'm not scary? Oh I bet I could cause all sorts of chaos," the man looked down at the lobsters covering his arms and the little sticky note on the bathroom mirror. It said 'Cheers!' accompanied by a troll face. "In fact, I would prank everyone in this city so badly that everyone would think I'm scary! Then they wouldn't laugh at me! Then they would fear and respect me!" And with that, Richard let out a crazed laugh that echoed throughout the house.

"Richard stop cackling! Everyone can here it from down here!" Nicole shouted upstairs, completely silencing Richard for the rest of the night.

(The Next Day)

Gumball woke to silence, something that only happened when Darwin isn't there. "Darwin?" he spoke out, worriedly looking around the room for his brother. Sounds erupted from downstairs, causing Gumball to readily dress himself. Further investigation found that everyone, excluding Richard, was sitting around the television with looks ranging between doubt and wonder in their eyes.

"Um, what's going on?" Gumball asked for surely nothing that good could be on on a Saturday. On the screen was a rather fat man with a white suit along with black dress shoes and black leather gloves. One of the oddest things about the get-up was the bronze, skull shaped mask that the man donned, a creepy red smile painted on where the mouth would be. "Shhhh! Listen!" Nicole said before turning up the volume.

"Hello everyone! You can call me Bronze Mask. Now today, I have a little proposition for the good people of Elmore. When's the last time this city has felt alive? Had some fun? Cut loose? I'm sure every one of you out there can say that this city has been dull for too long! So I'm hosting a contest that anyone can participate in if they qualify. You have to cause the most chaos and become the biggest threat to this city through normal means and devices, so no super modes, or giants, or doomsday like events. You're probably wondering just what the reward could possibly be for the winner. Well you get whatever you want!"

"Whatever you want?" Every Watterson in the living room asked at once. "That's right folks! Whatever your heart desires. Money, world peace, fame, anything. And all you gotta do is win. I will announce the winner when I feel the time is right so without further ado, goodbye for now."

Everyone remained silent as the program turned off, allowing the regular television broadcast to continue. At last, Nicole spoke up. "Look kids, I know what your thinking and the answer is no. I don't care what you can have because that sounds too suspicious in my opinion and I'd rather not have you risking your lives for something that's probably a scam." As soon as she said this, the kids were in an uproar.

"But Mrs. Mom! World peace! For everyone! Or money for charity!" "Stop being stupid Darwin. We could get all the latest video games, clothes, and other stuff with that money!" Gumball greedily insisted. "It doesn't just have to be about us you selfish jerk!"

"Both of you idiots be quiet! Mom has a point." Anais yelled. Just then, Richard appeared from upstairs, rubbing his bandage-covered arms. Darwin meanwhile brushed past the man in a fury.

"What's with all the noise?" Richard asked confusedly. "Oh the kids are worried about some man saying the winner of a contest can have anything in the world."

"Oh, okay." Richard replied, sitting down on the couch. "Wait. Don't you want to try and win?" Nicole questioned. Richard just shrugged his shoulders.

"I have everything I need right here," Richard said while pointing to the couch "and here!" He finished by pulling out a bag of chips. Nicole sighed and wondered why she even bothered to ask. The man was too lazy to clean around the house, let alone win some bizarre contest.

"And sorry Gumball, you wouldn't be able to try because your still grounded." Nicole remembered, making Gumball slap his face in frustration. "Besides, I doubt anyone in this city is going to fall for something as stupid as that contest anyway." She said matter-of-factly.

(In Gumball's room)

'They just don't get it. It's not about money. It's about the world. So many people could be made happy. I must do this. For the world.' Darwin mused as he hurriedly crept downstairs, sneaking past the bickering family, to the kitchen. Looking around carefully, he pulled a secret switch which opened a trap door in the floor. A quick descent down the ladder led the fish to what appeared to be some sort of high tech armory adorned with steel walls with pictures of men with red x's over their faces and sleek weaponry that would make the military jealous.

The boy moved down the hall without giving these things a second glance though, for he had seen them enough times already. Once at the end of the hall, he gazed upon a sight that to this day still gave him nightmares. "Well, it's just one more time. But this time it's for a good cause, and I won't let it consume me again."

(Back in the living room)

"I'm sure this whole thing will blow over in a week." Nicole assured. While everyone looked skeptical, it did seem a little far-fetched that this would actually become a problem. With their minds eased, the family dispersed to their separate activities except for Richard who started sleeping on the coach.

(2 days later)

A rising, smiling sun in the distance, beautiful birdsong, and a slight chill announced the beginning of Monday. Gumball and Darwin woke up simultaneously, grinning at each other happily as thoughts of school burned bright in their heads. Normally just the sight of the school building would cause the two to groan, but things were getting weird around the neighborhood. Just yesterday, they saw a bunch of suspicious men walking about with dark trench coats and other shady articles of clothing such as gloves, balaclavas, and even face masks. These men later went on to commit a series of horrible crimes, if the constant cries of fear echoing throughout the block yesterday was anything to go by.

"Ah finally, time to go to the safety of our school Darwin. No more having to constantly look outside the windows in fear. Our hard earned tax dollars being put to good use!" "But Gumball, we don't pay taxes." Darwin ignorantly replied, forcing Gumball to face palm. Sometimes talking to Darwin was like speaking to the talking brick wall outside. Sighing in annoyance, Gumball casually strutted out of the bedroom, adopted brother in tow of course, and went to the kitchen where he found that the rest of the family was currently feasting upon a delicious breakfast consisting of pancakes and mini sausages.

"Good morning boys." Nicole pleasantly greeted. "Hey mom." They greeted in return as they took a seat at the table next to Richard. The sweet aroma of the maple syrup laced pancakes sent the hungry brothers into a crazed state, murderously devouring the breakfast with gusto. Within minutes, they finished off their meal, burping slightly as they each brought a napkin to their messy faces. After comically struggling to get out of their chairs due to the disturbingly heavy weight of their bodies.

Gumball and Darwin somehow managed to make it to the door without any further incidents. The two looked back at Anais, who was still seated at the table. Nicole hurriedly explained that Anais was being driven to school in the car. Shrugging in understanding, the boys then opened the door to finally leave the house. A quick goodbye from their mother sent the sons safely down the street to the bus stop, where a nervous Rocky, clad in his usual ABCD shirt, allowed them to get on the bus.

Boredom. Boredom is all Gumball felt throughout the school day. Although true it was a safe place to be, the school was still just about the lamest place in Elmore. The boy had barely survived history class, what with the monotonous tone of voice that Mr. Smalls employed and the man's strange talk about a new yoga program he was trying out. But now the cat was sure to fall, for he was currently in his least favorite subject: math. The teacher for the class, Mrs. Simian, was starting a lecture on the different types of triangles in geometry, making sure to watch for any signs of slacking off from the students.

"And this is an isosceles triangle, which has..." Gumball's head smacked his desk loudly, drawing the attention of the class and the ire of the ape. "And just what do you think your doing Watterson? Trying to sleep in class? Well I suppose I'll be seeing you in detention this afternoon." Mrs. Simian reprimanded. She continued her lecture from where she left off despite the constant complaints that the cat had delivered in the small time frame.

The bell rang minutes later, allowing the kids to leave for lunch. Gumball himself walked just a few steps outside before he was yanked to the side by a very familiar face. "Jamie? You can't bully me now! There's a teacher in the hall." Gumball said and sure enough, Mrs. Simian found her way outside her classroom. Normally under these types of circumstances the bully would reluctantly have to back down, but instead she grinned in delight as Mrs. Simian counted a wad of money while whistling loudly. "...Just make it quick." Gumball pleaded in defeat.

(Cafeteria)

"And then she tried to force me to join some stupid club." Gumball angrily told Darwin, who looked at the severely bandaged boy thoughtfully. "And you said no?" Darwin asked in amazement, not believing that Gumball Watterson himself did not try to capitalize on the invitation. Then again, that wasn't exactly how Gumball rolled.

"Of course not! What do you take me for?" As soon as he said this, Jamie walked past and 'accidentally' shoved Gumball's face into his lunch. "Well you kinda look like the guy that's currently enjoying his food the wrong way." Darwin observed innocently , causing frustration in the other boy. Gumball brought his head out of his food and stormed straight up to Jamie's table, where she and her 'friends' were currently chatting it up. As soon as her gaze rested on him though, he quickly ran out of the cafeteria as fast as he could. As he slowed down in the halls, he could hear three students speaking. Curiosity piqued, Gumball approached the group who he could now clearly hear.

"Let's face it dudes, I would easily win that contest. Not that I need to." That student was Tobias Wilson, self-proclaimed tough guy. He wasn't much to look at, what with his scrawny appearance. But what he lacked in physical appearance and skill he could most likely make up with money. Pay the right person and you could certainly get something made to get you an edge. With his big ego though, it wasn't likely that he'd last long.

"It would seem that I would have the highest chance of success in this contest, due to my superiority in arsenal and mental capacity compared to any of you." Bobert chimed in. He had a solid point. Just because he wasn't allowed to use his alternate form didn't mean he couldn't use his other various weapons at his disposal. Since he was a robot, he would most likely be able to calculate all sorts of different things that could lead to victory.

"Pfft! Yeah right. I'm pretty sure I could take anyone on around this city. I arm-wrestled Cthulhu and a gorilla yesterday and won so this contest should be a snap."

Clayton boldly proclaimed. He was just a ball of clay though, so nobody really believed he could do it. Despite this, Clayton had a certain look in his eyes that showed that he wasn't fooling around. At least not with the notion that he could win the contest. The arm-wrestling part was most likely a lie.

"Yeah and I have...I have...confidence?" Gumball weakly added, drawing the attention of the three. Bobert emitted a blue ray of light from his eye that showered Gumball's body briefly before disappearing. "Possibility of becoming a threat to the city: 0%" At this, Clayton and Tobias laughed out loud. Gumball, tired of dealing with the garbage, left for his next class.

A gratefully appreciated ringing of the school bell went throughout the building to signal the end of the school day. Sighing in relief, Gumball, accompanied by Darwin and Anais, walked towards the family car. "Hey, have you guys noticed anything...odd?" Anais asked. "You mean like normal odd or odd odd? Because if it's odd odd then yeah I noticed." Gumball returned. "You mean you getting beat up? Doesn't that happen all the time?" Darwin interrupted as they finally entered the car.

"Yeah but it was different this time. Kinda more public. Even when there was a teacher around." "Huh, weird. Now that you mention it, stuff is starting to get odd around here. Like those cameras that were installed yesterday." Darwin pointed out, making sure to mention the new cameras put around the city to monitor progress in the 'Bronze Mask Challenge'.

"Yeah about that...hey mom?" Gumball called, attracting his mother. "What is it Gumball?" "Isn't it technically an invasion of privacy to have all those cameras around?" Gumball asked.

"Well Gumball, the city's given it the o.k since they're only using the cameras for that contest. I'm sure that as soon as they find out no one will try to compete they'll take down the things." Nicole stated, after which Gumball silently stared out of his window and soaked in the sights.

Maybe his mother was right. This thing would all be over soon. But the more he thought about, the more Gumball felt that this was not the case.

End chapter