The journey across Arkham was a blur of street lights and neon signs, but he knew exactly where Selena would be. The smoke still rose through the grates in front of Catwomans apartment and he could make out her tiny figure sitting cross legged in front of the small window. It was strange, to see everything piece in its place yet not exactly fitting in this Arkham City puzzle. Instead of immediately confronting her he perched upon a gargoyle taking in the panoramic view of the city. WonderTower came into view, blazes finally contained, the building a skeleton of what it used to be. He thought back remembering the words of Hugo Strange "Had you ever considered that all this is your fault? Your presence creates these animals... ". They often echoed through his head since Jokers death, but he had never considered things the other way around. That these "animals" presence had created him. Without them he felt as good as dead, or maybe BATMAN was dead. Plus he didn't even know who Bruce Wayne was anymore, maybe he had died a long time ago. These were the thoughts he knew he should be sharing with Gordon, therapist, whoever it was he could confide in.
With a grunt the thoughts disappeared as he dive bombed through the open grate to Catwomans side.
"Sure know how to sneak up on a girl" she laughed, looking up from the jewels she griped in her hand. "Can't you leave me with my baby's in peace?".
Batman straightened his posture placing his hands on his side. "You know why I'm here Selena".
The sirens blared and the flashing lights reflected of the metal around them. Rising to her feet, Catwomen looked to the alleyway below filled with cop cars and voice through the megaphone commanding her to drop her loot.
"Well Well Well" she laughed. "Her I was thinking that -gooder was one of us." Her tone took a dramatic turn as her precious collection of diamonds and pearls hit the grates. " I saved you. I could have let you die! Had all my things and been out of this place" she yelled, taking a deep breath " I guess I knew I'd regret it was all, this business relationship, or dare I say partnership"
He stood his ground knowing all that she was saying was correct.
" I made a promise, to do what's right for the people of Gotham, to protect them" With a roll of her eyes She's strutted through the door onto the landing.
"I suppose this is where I go willingly, just know this bridge is burned"
With a swift move of her hand a small bag appeared in her palm. With a wink she turned away
"Look at yourself, if you should protect them from anyone. It's you". Catwomen dove from the ledge, and with a crack of her whip disappeared into the skyline. Yet again another one escaped his grasp, another time his predatory instincts were hindered by his feelings.
How hadn't he seen this coming, after being Batman so long he had learned everything about these so called super-villains. Their stories locked away in his database but fresh in his mind. Over the years he had fought with them and against them, swearing he could separate the two when the time came. Looking down at Gordon and the dozens of squad cars shame washed over him. For now he belonged to Arkham City, and he couldn't leave here until he gathered the fragments of himself. With the familiar sound of his grapple locking on the grates above he stood for one last moment. Swearing Gordon was looking right at him he narrowed his gaze. "Goodbye for now Gotham" Batman whispered, vaulting onto the next building and off to find out what Strange had known about Bruce Wayne or about Batman that he didn't know about himself.