Dear Audience/Readers: I'd like to apologize for my lack of updating. These things take time & honestly I had to think a little bit before I went into typing again. Also my life has been…well no cakewalk as of late. Anyways, yet again I do not, nor ever will, own Batman & all characters pertaining to such, ex: Alfred, Gordon, Batgirl, & my beloved Joker. Don't belong to me. Any characters that I create such as Wendle & Zoey those I own. And if I happen to make a character that somehow ends up the same as one DC Comics has made etc, it's by chance alone, also please keep in mind I'm doing this mostly for fun, to appease some sort of inner demon. Also most my knowledge is rather from random things so if stuff seems a bit odd or off. Well expect inaccuracies.
Right then, think that covers it for now on to Chapter 2.
Chapter 2.
"Well now. Isn't this funny?" says a soft voice hidden behind a faceless mask. A cold hook in place of a left hand, is slowly tracing a line on what would have been the faceless figures brow.
"Yes. My liege," replies a kneeling form from behind the hooked handed person.
"It is. Who would have thought, are first debut would involve such…"the faceless person paused sucking in air, hissing, hook raised out towards the sight before them, "persons of importance."
"It is fitting my lordship," the knelt figure states absently sounding.
"Fitting? Yes. I suppose, " The hooked person mused to themselves. " Come Wicked. We drop anchor in an hour," the faceless, hook handed person, orders. Turning away from the Zeppelin's outer dock, to enter back into what had been a cell-phone agency Ad balloon's control room, prepared for the Gala of Gotham's New Observatory.
A balloon, prepared to amaze and bedazzle the rich of the city, the Zeppelin itself was huge! It flew hundreds of feet in the air above the city below. Above even the fireworks, and other balloons for the night. Silent and quickly it moved closer to the main attraction, the gala. It had taken 30 men to run it, the zeppelin, …all of which up until earlier that evening were now dead.
"Oh. By the way Wicked, be a dear, make sure our guests are ready to dismount on time." Orders the faceless person, hook gleaming, as the figure approaches the main controls of the zeppelin. Checking the zeppelin's current course.
"As you wish," replies Wicked, now standing up from the floor, smirking.
"Oh, and Wicked, hang some decorations," says the hook.
"Gosh? Can you believe just how amazing this place is?" says a young red headed woman in a dark blue gown, next to an older about fifty year old man in a black tuxedo with a dark blue satin waste band.
"It sure is something else Babs? How much do you think that Chandelier alone is?" Commissioner Gordon asks his daughter as he adjusts his glasses with his free hand, whilst his daughter Barbara Gordon stands next to him, holding onto his other arm.
They had just been granted entry into the New Gotham Observatory Opening Gala ceremony and already couldn't believe that something so amazing had been built within their world. Commissioner Gordon especially was in shock.
This past year had been particularly hard on his city; with Two-Faces gang going to war with Penguin's, and Poison Ivy's attempts at turning the city once again into a plant only habitat. He knew he was lucky he still had a home to return to at night.
But this New Observatory was beyond anything Commissioner Gordon had ever come to expect at for coming out of his city.
It was marvelous! The room he, Barbara, & nearly all the rich of Gotham were brought too was huge it could hold at least 30 elephants it appeared easily. Three glass, chandelier's with over a thousand crystals in each had been hung by strong fabric looking drapes from the main beams that supported a beautiful clear dome shaped glass/plastic ceiling. Allowing the guest to see the stars, light signals, fireworks, parade balloons, and at least four Zeppelins covered with decorations.
The room itself was that of a palace. Every table, which he had heard from Mr. Wayne was a number of 2000, was set with an ice sculpture that depicted some astrological theme. Ranging from the planets to planetary looking divine entities. On every table were silver plates adorned with carefully folded napkins shaped like swans. Every glass was made out of Swarovski crystal, polished to shine with stars etched into them. The walls of the Observatory were covered with matching draperies to the satin tablecloths that accented the colors of all the flowers in the room. Gordon didn't think he could go in any direction and not see a yellow rose or lily even if he tried. Flowers were literally in every nook of the place.
The most impressive thing however had to be the main telescope itself. The telescope was a deep dark blue, with golden gears of all shapes and sizes hand carved just for it, out for display to the public. It stood in the back of the room pointed at the night's sky, making a dramatic back piece to the entire event on a whole.
Gordon couldn't remember seeing anything so wondrous in all his life, save one.
"Look Dad! There's Bruce Wayne. Let's go over and say hi?" said the light of Commissioner Gordon's life. His daughter Barbara Gordon was so beautiful. She had on her mother's earrings tonight. Her hands wrapped around his arm, tugging at him gently in the direction of Mr. Wayne. Gotham's famous playboy billionaire.
He smiled down at his daughter. "How had she grown so fast?" he would often ask himself in his thoughts. Now going on 23, she was easily one of the most sought after young woman of the city. Often they would get mail from would- be suitors on occasion for his Barbara. All of which he just couldn't truthfully stand! Therefore, feeling perfectly justified, in having tossed all such letters, into the fireplace of their home. Much like any other overprotective father. Try as he might, when he looked at Barbara all he could see was that little seven year old that asked him to leave the light on in case of the boogeyman showing up.
He chuckled to himself lightly, at the memory.
"Dad?" asked Barbara one eyebrow raised in question.
"Oh. Just remembering how you used to ask me to leave the light on when you were little," Gordon answered honestly, voice tinged with amusement.
"Daaaad," said Barbara in a slight whiny voice, pink spreading across her cheeks in embarrassment. Causing Gordon to break out into a chuckle.
"Now there's a great sight I like to see," came the voice of none other than Bruce Wayne.
Gordon stopped laughing to look at the richest man in town. Twenty years his senior Gordon was always at a bit of at a loss for words when it came to Mr. Wayne. Granted they had met many times before, usually at similar events to the Gala, or sometimes at Court, sometimes with matters pertaining to Arkham.
Often, would Mr. Wayne be present at this or that fundraiser, being a well-known philanthropist. Always courteous to Commissioner Gordon whenever their paths crossed; still Gordon sometimes wondered about the guy. Sure he was known for giving money, but the thing was, if he didn't donate money to some place chances were he already owned it. In fact Gordon was positive that Mr. Wayne owned if not half then at least the entire city of Gotham in some way. Either by investment, pledge, donation, or business deal, the city of a whole he had realized one day is nearly entirely related to Wayne Incorporated.
Oddly enough in a way Wayne reminded Gordon of another person who had invested great amounts of himself into the city. "If it's not Wayne, its Batman," he had said once as a joke to a colleague at work.
"Greetings, Mr. Wayne. I believe you've met my daughter Barbara," said Gordon pointing first to himself then Barbara. Who was smiling at Mr. Wayne, "Hello again, Mr. Wayne" she said politely extending one gloved hand.
"Ms. Gordon it is a pleasure to see you once again. And pardon me for saying this Mr. Gordon, but your daughter is looking radiant tonight." Said Mr. Wayne as he took Barbara's hand in his own offering a quick kiss to the top of it. Only too quickly follow up with offering them a spot at his table where his adopted family and friends sat, enjoying the nights festivities.
"We would love to sit with you, Mr. Wayne," answered Barbara, before Gordon could say otherwise. Not that Gordon would have refused. He merely chuckled again at his daughter, shrugged his shoulders, and replied, "Why not?"
So it was that the two of them found themselves seated at one of the most prized spots in the whole Gala. Where Gordon found himself shaking hands with Bruce Wayne's three young upstanding wards, Tim Drake, Damien (he couldn't recall Damien's last name) and Dick Grayson.
"Commissioner Gordon! Good to see you!" said Dick as he shook Gordon's hand. Gordon noted the young man's firm handshake, he often felt like you could tell a lot by a man's handshake. Dick's told him that he was a determined youth but steady, a sign of reliability.
Gordon smiled, "Nice to see you too sir, Barbara tells me your interested in joing the force?"
"Dad!" exclaimed Barbara embarrassed, her cheeks turning red.
Grayson just laughed. "Well sir. I can't deny the appeal. I have in fact been taking a number of criminal justice classes at the University but I have yet to decide, will see," he merely answered. Before turning his attention to Barbara who began defending herself to him about how she had not meant to gossip about him or anything to her father. Gordon merely smiled. Taking a note at how his daughter's cheeks had reddened. Reminding him yet again of her mother, and how she had acted the same when they had met at another such party long ago.
Tim and Damien then made their introductions to Gordon along with the Wayne family's most trusted and beloved butler Alfred. A wonderful gentleman in Gordon's opinion who like Gordon also apparently liked to play chess! They immediately decided on meeting in Gotham Park one afternoon to play a game, much to Gordon's delight. Then Bruce introduced his date for the evening a pretty blonde headed woman named Amy Whitmore, from Metropolis. Who seemed to be feeling pretty out of place at the whole affair? Every time she said something she immediately followed it with a sip of her wine, and then she would whisper something into Bruce's ear causing the famous Mr. Wayne to blush. Gordon could only shake his head at this. 'Where did Wayne find them?' he thought to himself, as he turned back to the conversation between Alfred and his long time partner Detective Bollick. Who was going on and on about how the city should be putting it's money where it was needed and not these, 'fancy shindigs', he called them.
Gordon grimaced at that a little on the one hand he agreed entirely with his coworker, but on the other hand as he looked around the Gala seeing the hundreds of smiling citizens of Gotham rich or poor all united under this event. The children squealing with awe at the sight of the fireworks, the dancing couples on the center floor, he couldn't help but argue Bollick's point. On the other hand the city needed something like this Gala something new to bring hope to the city's future? Something to brighten what was starting to be known as the "City of Darkness."
"No," he thought as he watched the celebrations before him, "we need this." And with that thought he raised his glass, and began his toast to the Wayne foundation, the police force, his friends and loved ones!
"To the future!" he ended it with.
"To the future!" everyone replied, happily!
"Milord," whispered Wicked to the hooked figure, "All is set."
"Excellent." Replied the faceless figure as a gloved hand caressed the curved metal edge where another should have been, "And are we in position?"
"Yes. Milord." Answered Wicked, with a voice soft but laced with lust, as he asked his god, "Shall we depart?"
"Hmmmmm," hummed the dark figure as it tilted its head back, in thought.
"You know Wicked?" began the figure as they placed a hook casually on the monitor screen before them, "I think we should allow the fool's a few speeches to be made. After all the, mayor worked so hard on his, and let us not forget, that I treasure my generosity, my beloved Wicked."
Wicked merely nodded his head in acknowledgement to the figure before him. Eyes as calm as a sharks, as his lord spoke once more, "Also, I think we should let the clown enter first. After all, he did go to all that hassle of setting up those bombs for us. It would be rude of us not to wait for him to make his entrance?"
At this Wicked smirked a little, "Yes. My liege."
"Tonight," began the Mayor of Gotham, "is the start of a new age of Gotham! Tonight. We say goodbye to our city being known only for it's insane, it's deranged and it's flaws! Tonight we embrace what our city has to offer the world! The chance to not only show, us the people of Gotham a path to a brighter future, much like those stars in the sky! But to show all of mankind that in every place of darkness that exist, even here," at this the Mayor paused for effect, " there is always a chance to see a light that shines more profound than any other! Tonight my friends, my fellow Gotha mites is our night! Our night! As we unveil this next wonder of the world, GOTHAM'S NEW OBSERVATORY! TODAY WE SHOW THE WAY TO THE FUTURE!"
With that the Mayor of Gotham turned to the red ribbon wrapped around the golden telescope and cut it! The observatory was officially opened! People began cheering like crazy. Wine was spilt. Fireworks were set off every other minute. The air was filled with excitement.
At Bruce Wayne's table things were no different. Tim and Damien had arms around each other as they sang along with many people the city's anthem; that was playing. Alfred was chuckling as he pointed out to Mister Wayne, a one Lois Lane, interviewing the Mayor's campaign team next to a bumbling Clark Kent, which Wayne simply responded to by shouting across the table to Alfred, "You know how it is! What happens in Gotham sooner or later reaches Metropolis!" Mr. Wayne then promptly poured him and his date another glass of champagne.
Gordon sat there watching everyone around him. He felt strange honestly. Somewhere in the back of his head he knew he was enjoying himself, but it was as if some sixth sense of his had kicked in once the Mayor had started talking through the speakers that a sudden feeling of anxiety had come upon him rather subtlety. 'Ah me. Maybe I'm just getting old." He thought as he watched Grayson asked for Bab's hand. The two of them rose out of their seats. Looking the entire world to him like a younger version of himself and his wife had once.
He watched, as his daughter's face grew red as Grayson guided her onto the dance floor. They were a nice couple he noted abstractly. Grayson was a bit stocky in the shoulders but had a nice soccer player build to him; he was only a few inches taller than his Babs. Who kept glancing between Grayson's face and her feet. "I'm going to need another drink," Gordon thought to himself as he watched his lovely daughter dance with the boy he feared would one day be his son in law. Yes Gordon had picked up on his daughter's infatuation even though she had kept it like the secret of the Holy Grail. He had privately put his detective skills to work, and in time he had been able to put two and two together, much to his personal horror.
He shook his head slightly, the alcohol really was getting to him he thought, it wasn't like he disliked Grayson. He had a good handshake after all, one he had noted earlier that night even. It was just that Barbara was his joy? His shining star in this world, "much like that blasted telescope," he mumbled to himself, " is to this city."
"Pardon me, Mr. Gordon? Did you say something?" asked Alfred.
"Ah. Don't mind me Alfred, just an old man musing about how the world changes," he replied calmly, as Alfred shared a knowing smile with him.
"Ah. Yes. I often find myself pondering such things as well, sir," said Alfred.
"Really?" inquired Gordon.
"Oh certainly sir. Why, just this afternoon I found myself marveling at how we barely use the telephone in place of email? I tell you change is astounding!" said Alfred in a serious tone, eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Really Al? That's not what you said earlier," interrupted young Tim, "earlier you said change was nothing but a bloody pestilence upon the earth?!"
Gordon couldn't help it he broke out in laughter.
It was the perfect night.
She felt like she was flying. Never had she seen or felt so wonderful. It was exhilarating being this close to Richard, or 'Nightwing', she secretly thought. With his hand holding hers she had this wonderful sense of how right everything was. She didn't want this night to end.
Funny how the first time she has even heard about the Observatory being built she had thought it a total waste of money. Just another giant mistake that the current Mayor was doing all just to draw attention away from what really mattered like Gotham's Crime Rate.
"How could I have even thought such a thing?" she asked herself as she leaned her head onto Dick's shoulder.
"This is so intoxicating," she thought, "Lord, I just want to stay here like this for the rest of the night."
A smile stretched across her lips, lighting up her face. She could feel Richard ever so slightly pulling her closer to him as they slow- danced. He smelled of peppermint and some other fragrance she couldn't exactly pin point. He was softly humming the melody, causing a nice rumble from his chest that reminded her of the ocean oddly enough. So entranced was she that at one point Richard glanced down at her and began laughing, "Uh oh! Looks like my partner's gone off to dream land on me?!"
She snorted, "Puh-lease. Like anyone could fall asleep when dancing with a toe-stomper like you?"
Silence.
"So you noticed that huh?" asked Richard, a clear gulping sound, coming from his throat, making his embarrassment plain.
Barbara merely tilted her head up to gaze into his eyes. She grinned wickedly, "You bet I did!"
Richard turned as red as a tomato, "Oh no."
Barbara couldn't help it she burst into laughter, shortly followed by Richard's joining hers.
Richard then raised her arm & gave her a nice spin out, only to then spin her back towards him!
Barbara sighed contently as she nestled against him once more! As they danced to the music, she couldn't help but think at how perfect this moment was. Just the two of them dancing together, she felt a blush come over her when she had another little thought.
But it was at this perfect moment, that her dream came to an awful, untimely end.
Barbara felt herself pulled out of Richard's arms and was spun around to face the last person she ever wanted to see!
"Cutting in! Lover boy! Whoo! Hoo! LOOKIE HERE! SOMEONE CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT; I'VE FOUND THE FIRESTARTER!" cackled a man dressed in a brilliant dark purple suit! One hand pulling Barbara into his chest where a red carnation sprayed gas at her face!
Barbara started to cough while her mind screamed one simple word, "No!"
As Barbara began to pass out on the floor, she felt a vice-like grip support her from dropping to the floor.
"Now look! Shame on you Commish! Letting your own flesh over-indulge? What a debacle?" cackled the mad voice as he raised a gun to the air.
Firing it off.
Causing the guests to panic, as ten other men wearing clown makeup spread throughout the room fired additional shots!
"JOKER! YOU MADMAN! HOW DARE YOU!" shouted the Mayor!
One shot. That's all it took. And the Mayor that had talked of the future found himself collapsing to his knees as his felt the blood begin to leave his body.
"So sorry Mayor fraid I couldn't hear you? What with you fumbling around the floor, loose a contact lens did you?" said the Joker sadistically. As he lowered the gun that he had just used to shoot the Mayor.
"GREETINGS GOTHAM! YOU DIDN'T INVITE ME SO I THOUGHT I'D CRASH!" Joker said as he addressed the large crowd before him! An enormous smile upon his insane lips, as he made his way over to the giant telescope where the stage the mayor had spoke upon earlier stood! Flinging an unconscious Barbara over his shoulder as he did so. While one of his men knocked the man she had been dancing with originally in the back of the skull sending him to the floor. A foot pressed on his throat.
Harley, and the rest of Joker's goons, via bazooka, made sure no one left but shooting down anyone who so much as sneezed near the exits! As the people of Gotham began to panic, realizing they were being caught up in a hostile take over! Many of the women were kneeling on the floor, crying themselves silly. Some began begging the Joker out right for mercy! Other's screamed in utter outrage!
After one or two more gunshots however, everyone was struck silent.
Once Joker reached the stage he turned to his audience and with a flare of his sleeve made a stream of confetti shower the stage, "WELL, NOW THAT I'M HERE, HAVE I SHOW FOR ALL OF YOU! BRING OUT THE CANNONS! HARELY LOVE!" said Joker as he danced around the stage waving to his audience. Despite their horrified scowls, they couldn't look away as the crazed lunatic addressed them, while making pigeons above all things fly out his sleeves.
As a giant blast shook the room suddenly, people started screaming again. Joker merely broke into hysterical laughter his cackling causing children to cry, "hahahahahahwhhahhah..what a bang!"
Two of Joker's goons came through a giant hole that now took the place of one of the inner walls of the Observatory, supporting what was indeed a cannon.
"What do you want Joker?!" shouted Commissioner Gordon from the table where Bruce Wayne sat.
"Now..Now, commissioner," said Joker wagging a finger in Gordon's direction as if he were lecturing a small child, "I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!"
"After all," and this the Joker said to everyone in the room,
"It might be a real BIG BANG! HAHAHA!"