"A damn massacre.." Harvey Bullock commented as the investigators examined the killings in the office building last night.

"This isn't his standard M.O." Gordon said as he looked at the bodies. Some of them had merely been bitten in their necks, leaving two huge gaping holes while others were completely mangled beyond recognition, their skin stripped off their bodies and some of their limbs were even missing. Blood was everywhere; on the walls, windows, floors, and ceilings.

"Standard M.O. my ass." Harvey retorted as he lit up a cigarette. "This lunatic is nuts, killin' anybody he sets his eyes on."

"It doesn't seem like it. The usual reports on him have him more akin to a human than a flying monster."

"Yeah, whatever." Harvey dismissed. "Point is, now we definitely have to catch this wacko. The Commish won't like this guy killin' or catchin' bad guys."

"I know..." Gordon looked at a few shards of glass. He bent down before lifting it up to his face to see a few strands of fur on it. "Evidence." He bagged it before rising up. "C'mon Bullock. There's someone I want to talk to."

"Yes, the trays are to be carried around the guests. The chefs will be situated in the kitchen and the waiters will be at the ready." Alfred listed off to the coordinator while Bruce descended the main stairs in a tuxedo, fixing the bow on his neck. He already decided how much he despises wearing a suit, prancing around for rich people as if he actually wanted to associate himself with them and pretending to be a borderline alcoholic. The thought of actually being someone like that made Bruce shudder inwardly. He pushed it off, examining the decorations in his house.

"Everything going as scheduled, Alfred?" Bruce asked as he fixed his cuffs.

"Indeed, sir. The fund raiser begins in an hour and the guests are on their way. Oh, and the mayor said he may be a little late."

"That's fine." Bruce replied, sticking his hands in his pockets. "Alfred..."

"Yes, sir?"

He drew in a long breath as he stared through the skylight into the heavens. "You think my mother would be pleased to know what I was trying to do?"

Alfred smiled. "Not pleased sir... proud."

This made Bruce smile, a genuine smile. He hasn't given one of those in a long time. The doorbell was heard the next moment. "Right then," Alfred started, fixing himself up. "Shall we go welcome the guests?"

Bruce nodded, following Alfred to the door.

Gordon brought the car to a stop in front of a popular nighttime hangout.

"The Iceberg Lounge?" A confused Harvey questioned. "The hell are we doin' here?"

Gordon and Harvey exited the car, with Gordon wiping his glasses upon exiting. "Me and this guy who works under Falcone have a history. It's not a kind one, but we're on neutral terms at best." Gordon placed his glasses back on his face. "If anyone's got the info we need, it's Oswald Cobblepot."

The two cops entered the club, to see a few men drinking at the bar, a young lady singing a soft tune on the stage and various couples eating at tables across the room. True to its name, the Lounge was ice-themed with the floor being made to resemble ice and an iceberg like structure behind the staging area. The maitre'd at the entrance stand stopped the two men.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," He addressed. "May I help you?"

Gordon flashed his badge. "I need to talk to Mr. Cobblepot. It's urgent."

The man hesitated before complying. "Yes, of course. If you'll please follow me..." The waiter led them to upstairs to a huge office. "Please wait here." The waiter then exited the room, leaving Gordon and Bullock alone.

"How do ya know someone like Oswald Cobblepot, anyway?" Bullock asked he stuck a cigarette in his mouth and lit it up.

"I had a run in with some guys who were after me and I needed info. I stumbled upon Cobblepot and he gave me what I needed to know but... it came with a price."

"A price?"

"I really don't like talking about it. The point is, if I need to know the word on the street, he's the guy to go to."

"Well, I'm glad I can be of such service, Detective." Oswald commented, as he walked into his office and took a seat behind the desk. "Please, take a seat."

Gordon and Bullock sat down, before Gordon leaned on his elbows on his knees and gave Cobblepot a 'it's-time-for-business' look. "Listen, Cobblepot, I need a favor."

"Of course. How may I help, old chum?"

"I'll be straight with you, Cobblepot. I need to know more about this 'Batman'. What have you heard?"

Oswald's hand slightly twitched, something Bullock noticed instantly. "Yes, I have had.. a personal encounter with this Batman and I can assure that he is no human being." Oswald leaned forward, and even lowered his voice for dramatic effect. "He was a monster... a demon with terrible wings and fangs. Its red eyes pierced into my very soul, picking it apart with its glare. It growled and snarled before discarding me like some rag doll. It flew away into the night, its wings flapping and sending the trees' branches to the ground."

"Alright, wacko," Bullock remarked as he stood up to leave. "I'll make sure to book ya into the new asylum 'bout to be developed. "

Gordon grabbed his partner's arm and motioned for him to sit back down. "We got a report of something fitting your description attacking an office downtown. Do you know where he might operate?"

"No, I'm afraid I wouldn't know where his lair is. But I will be sure to inform you if I hear anything."

Gordon stood up. "Alright. Thank you."

A nefarious smile started to creep onto Oswald's face. "Now.." He drew out slowly. "What are you willing to do for me now that you have what you came for?"

"What the hell ya talkin' about big nose?" Harvey demanded. "Ya already told us what we wanted to know so why should we do anythin' for you?"

Cobblepot interlocked his fingers, giving them a very cold but dangerous look. "Because you very well know what happens when favors are not returned, don't you... Mr. Bullock?"

Bullock's eyes widened in surprise while Gordon contracted his fist, squeezing it in pure frustration before sighing in defeat. "What do you want?"

Wayne Manor was filled with rich socialites, all adorned in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry as they laughed and drank. They donated their money by signing their names onto a paper slip along with the amount they wish to donate. Bruce watched them from upstairs, taking a break from all the socializing. He sighed softly, lowering his head.

"Are you all right, Master Bruce?"

Bruce raised his head to see a concerned Alfred holding a tray of food to take downstairs. "I'm fine, Alfred." He replied assuredly. "I suppose it's about time to present the mayor. It is after all what he came for." Bruce and Alfred descended the stairs, before Bruce walked to the center stage and tapped on the mic a few times.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Bruce announced in a cheery manner. "I wish to thank you all for coming and generously donating your money here this evening. I want you to know that your giving spirit expressed here tonight will not only aid the mentally sick in Gotham but also the healthy. This asylum will help get criminals off the streets and into normal lives. With not only your help," He then held out his arm to the mayor, whom was seated a few feet from the stage. "But our great mayor who has shown his approval for such a plan. If you would please come up and say a few words, Mr. Mayor?"

The mayor complied, jumping onto the stage with a smile. "Thank you Bruce," He said as he took the mic from him. "I just want to say by rebuilding Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, the citizens of Gotham can sleep in their homes soundly, safely and peacefully. Through your efforts, we have taken a step forward out of the dark pit that crime has dug us in. By establishing this new facility, we, ladies and gentlemen, have begun on our journey to rehabilitating not just the mentally ill but all of the people of this proud, great city. Thank you." With that the mayor exited the stage while everyone applauded his speech. Even though he knew the words were quite empty in meaning, Bruce gave a smile and politely clapped. He knew despite the mayor's ulterior motives that this would indeed be a positive step for Gotham in the long run. So he played along. Laughed the fake laugh, smiled the fake smile all for the greater good. Running that through his head like a record, Bruce steeled himself to endure the rest of the fund raiser.

"Oh my God.. what is that?!" A woman pointed outside the window. Bruce peered outside, narrowing his eyes to focus on an incoming flying object. In the moonlight, one could see its wings flapping, its red eyes and red wings. As the creature got closer, it seemed to have black fur and it was like a humanoid bat, complete with a torn piece of pants. Bruce's eyes widened in shock as the creature crashed through his window, causing everyone to scream in terror. The creature wasted no time after intruding into the manor and flew towards the mayor. The creature screeched before using its clawed feet to impale the man in his chest. This created panic, which sparked screaming and rampant attempts to escape from the vicinity. Bruce disappeared in the confusion, while the creature continued to mutilate the mayor's dying corpse. The creature then spread its wings and with its feet still hooked into the mayor's chest, flew back out the window it came. As it flew toward the city, hot on its trail was Batman riding his motorcycle. Batman crossed the bridge, all the while keeping his eye on the creature's direction. He saw it land on rooftop a few blocks down. He sped up his cycle, eventually bringing to a stop beside the building. He aimed his grappling launcher towards the roof before eventually ascending to the top. After landing, he examined the area to see that the giant bat crashed through the roof's skylight. Batman jumped down, taking note of the foggy air around him. It made him a little dizzy, but he quickly shook it off before looking around. Batman turned on his night vision, walking around the apartment. He opened a door and dozens of bats flew out. Batman flinched, before steeling himself and entering. When he entered, his eyes widened upon what he saw. It was 17 years ago, he was looking at his young self and his parents staring down the barrel of a gun. Batman couldn't bring himself to move for some reason, as he watched from a third person perspective his most traumatic moment. First his father, then his mother. Then, just as suddenly as the scene appeared did it vanish and Batman was suddenly attacked by the giant bat. It pounced on him, pinning him to the ground and trying to chew his head off. Batman pushed its head back, struggling against the beast's strength. He placed his feet onto its chest and pushing it off and back-first into a table. Batman staggered to his feet as his vision became hazy. The creature stood up and seemed all the more terrifying. Batman began sweating, his heartbeat sped up in an erratic rhythm and his breath became slightly labored.

"Master Bruce, Master Bruce!" Alfred's voice sounded over the comm-link. "Your suit's readings are off the charts! Are you alright, sir?"

"Alfred... something's wrong..." The giant bat creature began to fly up towards the sky but Batman was still quick enough to grab its ankle. It flew off with Batman latched on but he became too dizzy to maintain the grip and unwillingly let go. Batman fell back down onto the rooftop, his armor cushioning his fall. Batman managed to muster up enough strength to walk back to the open skylight. He could still hear Alfred's voice but his ears had become too deafened to actually hear what was being said. Batman activated the scanner in his cowl and with it on, he peered into the building without entering.

"I've been poisoned with some kind of aerosolistic hallucinogen. It's making me see my fears… I don't understand how it works... yet. I'll… I'll send my coordinates and you can… ugh.. pick me up..." Batman typed up his coordinates using his mini-computer before descending downward into an alleyway. He crouched down near the shadow of a dumpster and stealthily camouflaged himself and waited.

"A giant flying bat creature has been seen flying around the South River. All available units please respond."

"Roger that." Gordon responded. He pressed down hard onto the gas pedal and sped off to the designated location. They eventually arrived at the river to see the bat attacking police officers while others were shooting at from behind their cars. The press was there behind the police lines, filming and reporting the current events. Gordon rushed forward with Harvey behind him, each carrying a shotgun they got out of the trunk. They shot at the creature alongside their fellow officers, but it was fast as it dodged the bullets with ease. It screeched loudly before swooping down and diving towards a police officer. Gordon managed to graze it in the shoulder, but before it could fly back upwards Harvey jumped onto its back.

"Harvey!" Gordon cried out. "Hold your fire, damn it!" He commanded the officers.

"Take this ya bat-freak!" He aimed the gun at its head and pulled the trigger, but alas, the cartridge was empty. Harvey stared at his gun for a moment, wide-eyed and a little less confident. "Oh, shi-" The giant bat spun around, allowing Harvey to fall down into the river. Gordon ran to the water and held out his hand to pull his partner back up. The cops returned their sights to the skies, but by then the bat was already gone.

"I… hate… bats..." Bullock muttered out as he stepped out of the freezing water. Gordon looked skywards, contemplating exactly what was it they had just faced.