I don't own Bleach, nor do I own Batman, so any characters mentioned here are the property of their respective owners.
I would like to remind everyone reading this that it's a hybird universe I'm making, so I'll probably fudge things to make them suit the story I want to tell.
Plus, thank you to the two people who have already reviewed. Both of them questioned which Robin Toshiro was, so I will state now that Toshiro is the Tim Drake equivalent. If you know your Batman well enough to question which Robin he is, I hope you'll recognise who I'm setting up the other characters to be.
The Batmobile slows down to a quiet stop. Ichigo takes a moment to centre himself, before emerging as the Dark Knight.
"Oracle. Give me an access point to the theatre."
"On it."
Ichigo turns his head. "Security, engage."
In response to his vocal command, the Batmobile locks down, black, metal plates sliding into position over the car.
Batman looks up, searching for a sturdy ledge. Finding one, he fires the grapple gun. The rope spirals upwards, before lodging itself in the concrete of the old apartment building his car rests under. He activates the mechanism, pulling himself over the ledge of the building. He rolls forward, sliding through a puddle in the pouring rain. Silently, he walks over to the northern side of the building.
Across the road, Sora Inoue was having a hell of a night.
The media is on his case, Zaraki's chomping at the bit, Joker is insane as ever, and he's just learnt that not only is the Mayor in there, but so is Grimmjow Jeagerjaques. Grimmjow was a personal friend, the department's best criminal prosecutor and a public figure of note. Between him, the Mayor and Joker, the scene was quickly deteriorating into a real circus.
His police had done their jobs, the area was cordoned off and the lucky party guests herded to safety. He had the place surrounded, for all the good it would do him. Joker had flat out refused to negotiate with anyone, insisting that Batman would have to come in and get him. Sora hopes Batman drags him out, kicking and screaming.
"Commissioner Inoue!"
"Commissioner!"
He sighs. Better deal with the vultures now.
"I have time for two or three questions at most. Go."
"Commissioner, why is Joker doing this?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. Next."
"Commissioner, will Batman respond to the Jokers challenge?"
"I believe he is en-route now, yes, you in the back."
"Is it the policy of the KCPD to endorse vigilante violence? Surely this is a matter for the Police to handle, or do you need Batman to clean up you messes now?"
Sora bit the inside of his lip, holding back an angry retort. This was an old tactic, probably some upstart journo trying to make a name for himself.
"I will say this one more time. Batman has proven himself to be nothing but a friend to the people of Karakura. His experience with the 'Super-Villains ' of this city has been invaluable, as has his work with the lesser criminals that plague the streets. Now, I must excuse myself, I have work to do."
Sora turned and walked away, ignoring the calls form the assorted press behind him. On the upside, the rain seemed to be easing a little. As he walks along, Lieutenant Kenpachi Zaraki catches up with him, in full body armour.
"Come on Sora, let me at him, we can take the clown ourselves. We don't need the bat-freak."
"I'm going to let him have his chance, and that's final Zaraki."
"Feh. The Bat's not that tough, I bet I could take him."
"You're just sore he beat Bane before you could."
Zaraki frowned. He would never admit it, but it was true. It annoyed him that he never got a shot at Yammy Rialgo. Zaraki was an avid martial arts fan, and could appreciate the mastery he had seen in the Batman. Of course, this only made him want to test himself even more.
Ring Ring!
"Inoue here."
"Sora, it's me, Batman has entered the Theatre. Just thought you should know."
"Thanks Hime…"
Five Minutes Earlier…
Batman had crept around the side of the building, using the shadows to escape the notice of the police and the Joker goons guarding the front. He wouldn't put it past Gin to leave a surprise for him at the back entrance, so Ichigo and Orihime agreed the eastern basement access would suffice. Toshiro promised to meet him there, and warn him if there were any traps.
The one miscalculation Batman made was that traveling this way would expose him to that alleyway…
Ichigo physically stops, and time seems to slow, as he recalls the night burned into his memory…
Sixteen Years Ago…
It was a cool autumn night, and nine year old Ichigo Kurosaki was afraid.
Normally, he was a happy child, the apple of his mother's eye, if somewhat of a cry-baby, at least, according to his best friend Tatsuki. Tonight though, his father, Dr Isshin Kurosaki, brilliant surgeon, entrepreneur and pillar of Karakura Society, had taken his eldest child and darling wife Masaki for an evening movie premier. The movie had proved to be too much though, so Ichigo had begged his parents to skip out early. They snuck out through a side door and went on their way.
As they walked down the alley, Masaki scolded Isshin for his choice in movie, as Isshin defended himself, citing his son's need to be manlier, and face his fears head on. As they fell into their pattern of friendly bickering, the familiar routine soothed Ichigo, who basked in the family moment.
All that was shattered though, as a gun wielding thug emerged from the shadows.
"Gimme your wallet! Now!"
Quickly, Isshin placed himself between the would-be assailant and his family, thankful he had left the twins in Juushiro's care. Masaki moved to shield her son, who stood in stunned silence. Ichigo was unable to fathom why anyone would do this to someone else. He was still naïve to the way the world worked, knowing only the love and care of his parents.
"Now, now, calm down, no-one needs to get hurt."
Isshin slowly removed his wallet, and threw it at the thugs feet.
"There, you have the wallet, I promise not to call the police, can we please leave now?"
"NO! Stay where you are! You! I want that necklace…"
"No! Please, it belonged to my mother!"
"Leave her alone!"
"Give it!"
Bang!
For what would become the defining moment of Ichigo's life, it happened remarkably quickly. One second, they were struggling, the next, his parents had fallen, taken by the same bullet.
The thug, who Ichigo would later learn was named Grant Fisher, staggered back, as if unable to believe what he had done. Ichigo stared on in horror, as the moment sunk in and he realised his parents were gone.
"Look kid, I'm… I'm real sorry about this, I never meant to.. Ah… Look, I can't leave any witnesses behind..."
Fisher raised his weapon, ready to end the poor kid's life. A bat, disturbed by the noise, swooped in and began to attack Fisher. To this day, Ichigo never understood what a bat was doing this far into the city, but he bloody well appreciated the timing.
Fisher fired wildly into the air, attracting the attention of a nearby policeman on patrol. Fresh from the academy, Officer Zaraki made his first arrest and did his best to comfort the poor child, who had just lost his parents.
Present Day
Ichigo lingered, if only for the moment, in respect to his dead moron of a Dad and angel of a Mum. The rest of that day was a blur to him. Being taken to the station, giving his statement, going back to the manor and crying himself to sleep… the one thing that rang clearly in his mind, was the sight of the bat harassing Fisher. Protecting him, like an avenger of the night. It was the inspiration behind Batman, who strove to be a symbol for the innocent, and doom for the wicked.
But, time was wasting. He swore to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. His father had often told him that his name meant 'one who protects', and Ichigo would do his best to live up to that. The people in the building were counting on him.
He crept to the door, activating his cowls sensors, to see what lay on the other side. No discernable traps, just the heat signature of Toshiro, awaiting him inside. He silently eases the door open and slips inside.
Robin looks up as Batman enters. He nods his head in acknowledgment. Batman looks Robin over. Toshiro modified the uniform to incorporate a hood, compensating for his bright white hair. Unlike Uryuu, who had nondescript, straight, black hair, Toshiro's head was a little more recognisable. He even went to the lengths of cutting it a little shorter; just so he could comfortably slick it back out of the way. His green eyes peer through their mask at Batman, waiting for his instructions.
"Let's do this."
Fans of the Arkham games should recognise Batman's detective mode. Also, for reference, if you haven't played the game, search for Arkham City Robin and Arkham City Batman for references to what their uniforms look like (Though Ichigo isn't quite that muscular in this story). Please review.