Chapter 12: A Mourning City

"Patrol! Forward, march!" A commanding officer ordered as small squads of Gotham Police picked up the memorial caskets of the Wayne Family and other deaths were killed at the Wayne Manor explosion. A band began a slow marching theme for them. Gotham City was mourning the deaths of fifty. The majority of its residents were there for the funeral, family members of everyone that was lost - including the adopted sons of Bruce Wayne; who's casket lead the way with Jim and Barbara Gordon carrying it along with the other officers.

Dick Grayson - out of Gotham Central for the day - and Tim Drake followed closely behind in their wheelchairs. Both were expected to make speeches after the Commissioner's commemoration of those to be buried, along with a moment of silence. There was some gossip surrounding the mysterious third man who walked alongside the two adoptive brothers. Some speculated it was the long thought dead Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne's second adopted son after Grayson, but all grown up. Though no one outside of the brother's approached him, it was later established by Barbara Gordon that he was a close friend of Tim's, Mister Peter Hood. He knew Bruce through him, and while it was only a short time, he wanted to pay his respects. He was also mentioned to be an extra security for Mister Grayson, who was still recovering from his injuries.

Commissioner Gordon's was quick and to the point. He mainly focused on the Wayne family and how they were one of the few uncorrupt rich families who lived in Gotham, giving back to the City in every way they could, with Bruce Wayne being at the top of the record.

"I knew Bruce since my first day in the Police department here;" He said. "The tragic night of his parent's death. I remember him asking why anyone would do such a horrible thing to such kind people." Said recollection seemed to bring a tear to Gordon's eye, as he paused afterwards to get himself together.

"When I met him again years later - Bruce seemed so different like he had a plan for everything when it came to the City. He shared those dreams with us and we listened. He never used that power against us. He never betrayed us." Another pause. This time for effect, or to rearrange his notes? No one could tell.

"The other forty-seven people who died with him believed in what Bruce had to say. I hope this City will continue to do the same - in his spirit. Because if the Batman is our Knight, then Bruce was the Knight of the Day," He paused and looked to Dick and Tim, finishing with,

"I look forward to seeing the ones he raised continue his legacy."

The City applauded Gordon and his speech as he left the podium and went to stand next to his daughter, who had tears in her eyes from the speech.

Once the applause ceased, Dick slowly got up from his wheelchair and went to the podium. He was able to walk, but had not been on his feet since the night and was still rather week everywhere. Peter Hood and Barbara Gordon helped him, with the latter staying behind in case he needed help. His speech was also short. He thanked the commissioner for his words on Bruce and his service in general and said he would work hard to uphold the Wayne Legacy through his name once he has recovered.

"But, I must also thank a different member of the Gordon family," He suddenly stated, turning to Barbara. "Barb Gordon, my best friend for the longest time, and the woman I believe to be my soulmate. Like Bruce, she has been with me ever since I began to live in Gotham. And while Bruce helped me to live with myself, she taught me to love. So I think it's only fair I finally return that, after so long." He slowly got down on his knees and showed her an engagement ring. "So Barb," Grayson continued. "In a time of grief, will you honour me and help me continue the Wayne Legacy?"

The crowd cheered as Barb said yes.

Tim Drake was the last of the speakers and was meant to go up after Dick, but after he proposed to Barb in front of the city, it was all everyone was talking about for the next few hours. It wasn't a big issue, it meant he could practice some more. Eventually, once the press had calmed down about the proposal and Commissioner Gordon had asked no more questions on the topic, Tim rolled up to a lowered microphone he could speak into. A polite applause followed with him, as he expected - rumour mills had already gone out on who Dick would choose to be his best man, and he was at the top of the speculation list. Tim took it as a applause for what he expected earlier: A congratulations on his new status as CEO of Wayne Enterprises. He cleared his throat as it dispersed, and began.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I know many of you are excited about the newly engaged couple - and I wish them well in their future together - but, if I may, I want to come back to what the Commissioner said about the Wayne Legacy, and how we will continue it." He explained.
"Dick, my adoptive older brother, will, hopefully, continue it through the United legacy of his and Barbara's blood with children, if they choose to have any. But I will go a different route. As the heir to Wayne Enterprises, I will be taking the position of CEO of the company as soon as possible!" He paused for a moment as the crowd went into applause for this announcement, thanking them while waiting to continue.

"And, as my first speech as CEO, I wish to continue the last speech that Bruce made, before his tragic, sudden death. Some of you who were there the night of the explosion will remember this. Others may have blocked it out completely. Either way, I believe what Bruce was building up to was important, and so should not be thrown out just because he never finished it." The crowd mumbled in agreement, a few Here Here's and Well Said's, shouted out among them. Tim smiled at that, his confidence widening as he took out a copy of the speech Bruce wrote, unfolding it for him to read off of. He took a drink from a bottle of water before starting.

"For the past two decades, this world has transformed hugely. We've had Aliens, good and bad come to our world, to protect and invade. We've had heroes rise and fall, and Cities almost crumbling because of all of these things. We should highly commend the Justice League and their allies, who save us time and time again from crisis after crisis for nothing but because they want to. From Superman in Metropolis to our Batman and his many allies, to Jump City and the Teen Titans, we have been relying on Heroes to save us from threats that world governments can not. But what happens when Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and all of their allies retire? In a positive scenario, proteges like Robin, Wonder Girl and Superboy would step up to each of their mentor's mantles, becoming the next generation. But I ask you, what happens after they go, too?" Pause for effect, taking a drink of water and let the questions sink in for those listening.

"The answer, actually, is easier than you think," Tim continued reading. "Metahumans are a step into the future of the human race as we know it, and I believe if we can train future Metahumans to control their abilities, then one day, we may no longer need heroes at all." He put away the piece of paper and continued on without the words, apparently memorised.

"I plan to fund and open the first School for Metahuman Children - as a way to raise and train the third and fourth generation of the Justice League, and more to the point, a more peaceful future for our planet as a whole." The audience cheered vocally and applauded this idea, cameras from multiple news presses flashing at the stage. Tim then pointed to the hill that Wayne Manor used to stand on in the distance.
"And, as a memorial to my adoptive Father, Bruce, I would have his family's home rebuilt and modelled as a place for these students, as a way to tell them that the man who started this idea will always be with them. Even in death. Thank you!"

Tim ended the speech there, dozens of reporters bursting with questions about this new proposal that he had just given them. He smiled broadly as rolled away from them and into the back of the stage. He smiled broadly as rolled away from them and into the back of the stage. Whatever their thoughts on it, it wouldn't matter. He had checked before the announcement to see if Wayne Enterprises had greenlit the project before it's announcement before he found the copy of Bruce's speech. Not to his surprise, it had but was waiting for the CEO to officially launch it. Which he did. And as the feeling began to settle in of him being in charge of a worldwide company, he grabbed a cup of coffee, asked to be taken to his car and head back to his office.

That's right! We're doing an X-Men homage in a DC story, baby! This was mentioned in the background of one of the early chapters, and I wanted to do something with it for a while now - so I did! I have plans for it down the line, but I thought it would be a cool idea recall it now through Tim as a way to help me write him outside of him being Sage. More Jason stuff in Chapter 13.

Hopefully, the next two chapters will be out by the Friday after this week (the 7th of September for those in the future). After I get up to 15 I'll be going on a short break to prepare my move to University and settle in. Once I return the new schedule will be a new chapter every week if all goes well. When studies kick up that may change and I'll let you guys know. As always, Reviews on the more recent chapters and feedback in general - positive and constructive - are always welcome. Let me know what you guys are thinking of where this is going, tell me what you want for future chapters and so on. Talk to me and I will talk back through my writing! See you guys for Chapter 13 - it's also got a surprise with it ;P