Season 2 Episode 12: Child's Play (The Mid Season Finale)

My name is Bruce Wayne. When I was 8 years old, my parents were killed by an evil. And so I made a promise to fight that evil. I traveled the world for 18 years, and returned to Gotham City to protect it. Now I have new allies, helping me in my crusade, but I also have new enemies. New threats have arrived in my city, and I must stop them. I am vengeance. I am the night. I am the Batman.

Previously on the Batman...

Bruce takes Venom

Barbara has become Batgirl

Dick is putting up decorations

A blizzard is hitting Gotham

Gordon has Sarah Essen as a partner

Bruce and Tommy Elliot are trying to reconnect

Lucius is Bruce's mole in Wayne Enterprises since Cobblepot took it from him

Shadow has teamed up with Scarecrow, Penguin, and Riddler to take down the Batman

Bruce is now using his old vigilante suit

A/N: Hope you got all that. Oxygen Potassium, let's get into the fun.


Lucius walks into the Batcave and sees Bruce there.

"Mr. Wayne, Cobblepot has told the workers at Wayne Enterprises to get ready for something big." Lucius warns.

"Something big? Like something to build?" Bruce asks.

"Yes. He hasn't told us yet, but as soon as I know, I'll tell you. He's up to something, Mr. Wayne."

"I can imagine."

"I also left off a little Christmas present for Ms. Gordon. I was able to make it in secret."

"What is it?"

"A more protective version of the batsuit Alfred made. Not just cloth."

Bruce starts heading upstairs. Lucius follows him.

"I hope you got rid of the hole that her hair falls out of. She leaves one of those at a crime scene and someone can identify her." Bruce says.

"Er, I'll get to work on that." Lucius replies.

Bruce answers a knock at the door of Wayne Manor and in steps Tommy.

"Tommy. Good morning." Bruce greets.

"Heh, look who's answering his own door." Tommy comments.

"Well, I do for special guests."

Lucius walks up.

"Excuse me, Mr. Wayne." Lucius says.

"Ah yes. This is Mr. Fox. He's a friend of mine who works at my comp...I think you heard what happened." Bruce explains.

Bruce and Lucius shake hands. Tommy watches.

"Bye, Mr. Fox."

"See you again later, Mr. Wayne."

Lucius leaves as Tommy steps inside and closes the door, taking off his coat and scarf.

"So what's your plans for Christmas?" Tommy asks.

"Dick wants to throw a Christmas party. And once he wants something, there's no stopping him. Plus, it's not like I'm doing anything else for Christmas. You should come. If you're not busy."

"Not at all. I have no plans, so I'll visit. When is it?"

"December 23rd. 8 o'clock PM."

"Isn't that when the blizzard's supposed to hit?"

"You don't have to come."

"No, I will. It's gonna be a pain in the ass to get back home though."

They both smile.

"Why don't you spend Christmas with us?" Bruce suggests.

"Really?" Tommy asks, skeptical.

"Yeah, it's really just me and Dick and Alfred here Christmas day. It'll be great if I had a good friend for Christmas this year."

"I'll think about it."

At this news, Bruce is actually happy.

The Batman

Dick hums Jingle Bells as he puts up ornaments on the huge Christmas Tree in Wayne Manor's ballroom while standing on a ladder. Barbara walks in and fake gasps.

"You're not putting on all the decorations yourself, are you?" She asks.

"Oh, no you're free to help." Dick suggests.

Barbara walks over and puts on a Santa hat. She pulls out a few ornaments and puts them on the branches closer to the ground.

"Why didn't you get a real tree?" Barbara asks.

"Because I care for the environment. Now that I think about it, Christmas much be a nightmare for pine trees. Almost as big of a nightmare as Thanksgiving for turkeys. Trees are the ones who provide us with oxygen, y'know."

"I know."

"And provide homes for animals like squirrels and birds. You really want to cut down a real tree and crush that nest filled with baby birds?"

"Why'd you have to bring baby birds into this?"

"Because that's what you're killing when you cut down a tree. Not to mention fake trees are reusable."

"Well, they probably would've died anyways. Probably fall out of the nest, or got eaten by a bird of prey."

But what if they didn't? What if they had a long life ahead of them and grew up to make their parents proud? And fake trees are less of a fire hazard, especially since we're in a house made up partly of wood-"

"Dick, I get it. Fake trees are better. Now shut up."

"But I had 13 more pages in the essay I wrote."

"You have an essay on why fake Christmas trees are better?"

"No. But I bet someone out there does."

They both chuckle.

"Reason 115, you don't have to water a fake tree, or pick up the pine needles." Barbara jokes.

"Oh yeah, that's another reason I forgot." Dick says.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously."

"Damn."

A/N: Seriously folks, fake trees are better. If not for me, then do it for the baby birds out there.

"Christmas is the best holiday." Dick says.

"There are still a lot of holidays you haven't celebrated, Dick." Barbara says.

"What holidays haven't I celebrated?"

"Like holidays in other religions. What about Hanukkah? That's like an 8-Day Christmas."

"Yeah, but there's no Christmas Tree! That's like a major con."

"Hanukkah doesn't need a tree."

"I need a tree. And gifts need to be under it. If not, that's a no go."

"Well, my point is there are holidays you haven't celebrated."

"Yeah, like Valentine's Day, and I haven't celebrated April Fool's Day in a while."

"Why not?"

"Bruce doesn't like jokes too much. You should've seen him when I told him there was a robbery on 88th street. He was already driving out of the cave with the Batmobile when I had to call him and tell him it was a joke. I then proceeded to hide in my room for the next few days, trying to avoid eye contact whenever I left for food."

"Yikes."

"But now I actually get to celebrate Christmas! With people this time. I'm really excited for this year. Still need to get Bruce to watch It's a Wonderful Life."

"What about Home Alone?"

"He's already seen it. Great Christmas movie."

"Die Hard?"

"I think he's seen it. Not sure though."

"Home Alone 2?"

"He skipped it."

"Home Alone 3."

"No."

"Home Alone 4."

"God, no!"

"I'm done now."

"Good. But MY point was, now I actually get to celebrate it and see all the decorations. What're you doing for Christmas?"

"Just going to spend it with my mom and dad."

"One of my favorite parts about Christmas in Gotham is the decorations and spirit everyone and everything has in this city. We need to do some festive traditions before Christmas, which is pretty close."

"And what are your festive traditions, Dick?"

"Like, ice skating, and going into toy stores and seeing last minute shoppers and thinking, Thank God that's not me."

Barbara laughs.

"It's funny because it's usually IS me." Barbara comments.

"How about, on Christmas Eve, or a day close to Christmas, we go out an explore Gotham City, with all decorations, and maybe go ice skating." Dick suggests.

Barbara looks at him, skeptical.

"You asking me out on a date, Grayson?" Barbara asks.

"Did you just call me by my last name?" Dick asks.

"Answer my question first."

"Something tells me you already know the answer. Now why don't you answer mine."

"You know the answer already, too. Yes...I did call you by your last name."

"I meant my other question."

Barbara half smiles.

"No."

A/N: Nah, I'm just kidding. I bet I got somebody. At least one person. At least one.

"Sure. What's not to love about ice skating?" Barbara answers.

...

"Alright, I need to finish with these decorations."

Dick reaches into the box of ornaments.

Gordon and Sarah drive a cop car around Gotham, talking.

"So...Batman...you're friends with him, right?" Sarah asks.

"We're partners. Sometimes he gives me info, sometimes I give him info...he gets the job done and I respect him for it. I'm also the only one who makes sure what he's doing here in Gotham is legal. Barely."

"Yeah...but who is he?"

"I'm going to be honest with you, Essen...no."

"Well, wouldn't you like to know? I would."

"Look, we and Batman have a...mutual understanding. If I try to figure out his identity, that'll be betraying his trust."

"Yeah, but think about it. Who else would have the money to be the Batman? Why is he changing back to his old suit? And why-"

"Essen...let it go."

"Sorry."

"I'm still new to Gotham though, do you really think Batman is doing a good job with Gotham?"

"I would be chasing him down otherwise if I didn't believe in him."

"Yes, but he breaks several laws to enforce his way of justice."

"Yes, I know. Assault, breaking and entering, tampering with evidence, but those are the sacrifices he makes. And in the end of the day, the criminals are brought to justice."

"Who knows? I might meet him one day."

"Maybe."

Several thugs crowd around a man.

"Money. Now." The thug states.

"Piss off!" The man spits.

One thug punches him across the face. That's when Bruce, as the vigilante, drops down and brutally beats the crowd of thugs. He returns to the Batcave to meet a disapproving Alfred. Bruce ignores him and walks past.

"A group of muggers. A simple group of muggers and you left them with a brutal beating and injuries that could last forever!" Alfred lectures.

"They're criminals." Bruce shrugs.

"They're people!"

"Yes. They're the same type of people who murdered my parents."

"Can you really only see things as that black and white? Because one mugger murdered your parents means that all muggers are just monsters?!"

Bruce stops walking and turns to face Alfred.

"What did you want me to do, Alfred? Prop up some pillows before they fell? They tried to assault and rob that man, and I stopped them. That's what I've done for the past 7 years, why do you have a problem with it now?" Bruce yells.

"Because now you're taking drugs. You're addicted! And because you are you're beating criminals half to death! This is going too far!" Alfred yells back.

Bruce continues walking and starts dressing up in a tuxedo.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Venom saves more people!" Bruce states.

"And injures more, too!" Alfred adds.

"Criminals, Alfred! Criminals!"

"True it saves more innocent people, but who will save you?"

Bruce heads over to the elevator.

"I don't need saving." Bruce says and heads up to Wayne Manor.

He walks down to the ballroom and sees the party going on. Dick walks up to Bruce.

"Nice tux." Dick comments.

"This is, what? The third party we've held this month?" Bruce asks.

"I don't keep count. But who cares? These parties are fun!" Dick says and heads into the crowd.

Barbara tries on a dress and grabs her purse, ready for the Christmas party.

"Yet another Bruce Wayne party?" Gordon asks, dressing up as well.

"Yeah." Barbara replies.

"Why do you always want to visit there?"

"It's a nice house. And their butler serves the best food. Delicious."

"That's the only reason?"

"And to live a little. ... Well...I'm going to be honest, Dad. His ward, Dick Grayson, recently just asked me out on a date."

"Oh God, it was a boy this entire time."

"Not entire time. Recently, Dad. But I said yes."

"Oh boy..."

"So, yeah, that could be one of the reasons. Don't tell him I told you though. And don't be all intimidating and give like a 'tough overprotective cop dad,' speech or anything. Please."

"I mean, I...I'm still shocked."

Barbara, her mom, walks into the room.

"What's going on?" She asks.

"Babs has a boyfriend." Gordon states.

"What?"

"Dad, he simply asked me out on a date and I said yes." Barbara says.

"That's huge!" Her mother exclaims.

"Please..." Barbara whispers.

"It's Bruce Wayne's ward. He'll be at the Christmas party tonight." Gordon says.

"Then let's go!" Her mother announces.

"God, this is going to be torture." Barbara says to herself.

The Gordons enter the party and look around at the Christmas lights.

"Nice decorations." Gordon comments.

Dick wades through the crowd and comes to a clearing, that's when he sees Barbara and her family.

"Hey, Barb." Dick greets.

"Dick...this is my family. My Mom, who's also named Barbara, and my Dad, the police commissioner of the GCPD, Jim." She says through a fake smile.

Dick smiles at them. He shakes Barbara's hand.

"Hi. The name's Dick Grayson." Dick says and shakes Jim's hand. "Merry Christmas, Gordon, Jim, Commissioner..."

"Merry Christmas, Mr Grayson." Gordon says.

"Well, we've got to go." Barbara says and grabs Dick and drags him off.

"You think I scared him?" Gordon asks.

"Probably." Barbara replies.

One of the guests who enters the ballroom is Tommy Elliot. Bruce walks up to him.

"Merry Christmas, Bruce." He greets.

"Merry Christmas, Tommy." Bruce says.

They shake hands. Tommy and Bruce take some drinks of champagne and drink. Bruce drinks actual champagne.

"Remember. when we were younger? We met up one time at a party, not yours. I think it was about a year before you left Gotham, but we were talking about how you handle your own company, and girls." Tommy says.

"Those were simpler times." Bruce comments.

"Actually at that party, I met a girl. Real pretty. Peyton Riley, I think her name was. But of course, mother didn't approve."

"Yup. She was there too."

"Always so commanding. So proud of you, though."

"And here we are again. What? 15 years later?"

"Yeah. Talking about girls again. What about her? Cute."

"Tommy..."

"It's time we go back to our roots. I'm feeling nostalgic. Now, what about her?"

Bruce sighs.

"Yeah, she's cute." Bruce says.

"There we go! Just like old times." Tommy smiles.

Dick walks up to Barbara.

"You know, it is STILL date night. Wanna go to the ice rink?" Dick says.

"How very romantic." Barbara comments.

"I'm not hearing a no."

"Let's go."

Dick and Barbara meet at the ice rink with their coats on and go skating. Barbara is skating normally, but slowly, and still pretty close to the railing. Dick speeds ahead of her.

"No one likes a showoff." Barbara says.

"Well, I got some training at the Haly Circus."

"Ice skating training at the circus?"

"No, acrobatic training."

Light snow starts falling on the ice rink.

"The blizzard is hitting tonight." Barbara says.

"Well, we'll get back before it REALLY hits. It's great to have snow during Christmas." Dick comments. "Speaking of which, you're spending Christmas with Gordon and your Mom? Or, Jim?"

"Yup. And you spend it with Bruce and Alfred?"

"I think we might have Tommy over this year. Bruce's friend. Alfred tells me: Since childhood."

"...why don't you spend Christmas with us? I mean, not Christmas morning, but maybe come later in the day. For Christmas dinner. My parents could get to know you more. Plus Bruce is going to have Tommy this year so he won't be alone. Seriously."

"Why not?" They both smile at each other.

The next day, Lucius sneaks into Oswald's office once again, and runs over to his computer. He logs onto the computer and tries to discover what Penguin has planned. He looks into his emails and finds a mysterious account sending him suspicious emails.

"What the hell?" Lucius whispers to himself.

Two hands slam down on the desk in front of Lucius, and the body the hands belong to stares down at Lucius. This isn't the Penguin. This is Shadow.

Jonathan Crane turns a valve and his fear gas pumps through a tube, into a oxygen mask, Lucius is wearing, as he's tied to a chair. Crane leaves the room and shuts the door as he sees Riddler watching him with his arms crossed.

"Fear, fear, fear. That's all it is with you. Just fear." Riddler says.

"How about you shut up and let me do my job?" Scarecrow replies.

"So why the hell did you capture this guy?" Riddler asks.

"He works for 'Cobblepot Enterprises,' and he was sneaking around, trying to find out our plan. He's an ally of the Batman. A mole sent into our operation. I don't know if he really knows anything important, but until we do, we'll keep him here." Shadow explains.

"So I'm going to ask the obvious question here: Why don't we just kill him?" Riddler asks.

"You know for a smart man, you sure do ask a lot of questions. Because we can use him as leverage."

"That's took risky. He's just going to escape. The Batman will find us eventually. Remember, your plans would've failed if not for me."

"Yeah, but we don't need you here anymore. So why are you still here?"

"Because I'm curious on how things will play out. Remember, if you kick me out, I'll tell everyone about your operation. That's a major risk you're taking with inviting so many people here."

"And I'll ask YOU the obvious question, Mr. Nygma. If you threaten to tell, why don't I just kill you?"

Riddler scowls. Penguin walks in.

"Still arguing I'm guessing?" Penguin asks.

"You guessed correct." Scarecrow says, reading a book.

"Great. I'll get the popcorn ready. What are we arguing about anyways?" Penguin asks.

"I don't think Shadow here can pull this plan off." Riddler states.

"Yeah, and he's being a real smartass about it too." Shadow adds.

"If we're not confident enough, why don't we just get another team member? Sure, we have four of us, but Batman has Robin, and that new Batgirl running around now. 3 V. 4. Are we as confident now?" Penguin says.

"He's right. Batman, Gordon, and Harvey Dent were able to take down almost all organized crime in Gotham." Riddler says.

"One, he had help from Catwoman and Robin. And two, that's where my earlier point comes in." Shadow says.

"And what's that?" Riddler asks.

"Leverage, Mr. Nygma."

I still think we need one more team member." Penguin states.

"Would you shut up and let me do the thinking please?" Shadow says.

Gordon drinks some hot cocoa as Sarah sits on his desk, looking through files.

"What do you think of vigilantes? Normally, anyways..." Sarah asks.

"Why are you so interested?" Gordon asks.

"I just wanted to know what you think."

"Like I said before, Sarah, I think they do a lot of good. They do what the law can't."

"Then what's the point of being a cop?"

"We help."

"So all that training, all that work, just to be the help?"

"We do good, Sarah. Sometimes we do things Batman can't. He can't do everything by himself. That's why he accepts allies like Robin or Catwoman."

"And what if they turn into criminals? I heard that Catwoman was a criminal, and recently returned to Gotham and became a thief again."

"Well, the only reason they're legal is because we removed the anti-vigilantism act when I became commissioner."

"True."

"But still, I didn't go through the police academy just to be help."

"Yeah, neither did I. But it looks like that's what fate has in store for us."

"And you're just going to take it?"

Gordon takes a sip of his cocoa as Sarah says something.

"I'm sorry, Sarah, did you say something?" Gordon asks.

"Yes, sir. It's quitting time. Share a cab?" Sarah suggests.

The grand Christmas Tree of Gotham is about to be lit up as a crowd of civilians crowd around it, ready to see it. Just as it's about to light, they hear a loud voice come over the loudspeaker. It's distorted. The people get scared and huddle close.

Dick who's watching the lighting on TV, then sends the broadcast to Bruce. Bruce watches it on his phone and notices the announcement. He returns to the Batcave where Dick is playing the video on his computer.

"What do you think it means?" Bruce asks.

"I've been thinking about it. What if it's coded? So I slowed it down, but it was still just gibberish. So I reversed it. This is what I found." Dick says and plays the video.

"This message is for the Dark Knight. If you want to find Lucius, you'll meet me at the following location. Oh! And if your friends, or the police show up there, Lucius dies." The message says.

Bruce and Dick look at each other.

Barbara dresses up as Batgirl, and Dick dresses up as Robin. Bruce puts on his ski mask.

"Remember, you need to stay at least a block away. Keep up with me and Shadow. Don't be seen. We need to go before the police can crack this code. Move out." Bruce explains.

Meanwhile, Gordon makes it out of his cab and waves goodbye to Sarah as the cab drives off. He walks up to his apartment when he hears someone calling him. He turns around and sees a car drives past him. The driver pulls out a gun and fires. The bullet hit Gordon in his shoulder and he falls. The car drives away, and Gordon is left, bleeding out.

Later, Bruce goes to the address and looks around the area.

"There's no one here." He calls.

"What? We've got the right address though, right?" Robin says over the comms.

"Yes. Strange. Wait, I might have an idea on where he intended to meet."

"Where?"

"The subway. But once I go in there, I'll lose contact. Stay close."

"We will. Go."

Bruce heads into the subway tunnels and walks in between the empty tracks. He looks around the darkness, but finds no one. He holds his fists out ready to fight, alert, as he steps onto the pebbles on the ground. A couple of bullets hit the ground in front of him. He turns around and sees Shadow dropping down from the ceiling firing his pistol, but then punching Bruce across the face.

Bruce falls and tumbles onto the ground. Bruce, stunned, gets up on all fours and goes to stand, but Shadow kicks him in the back of the head and Bruce falls again. He kicks Bruce in the chest and he lays on his back.

"Is that all you have left?" Shadow asks.

Bruce growls and stands. He starts throwing punches, but Shadow kicks him in the side and headbutts him. Bruce throws a punch but Shadow throws up his forearms to block, and he slides across the floor. Bruce charges and grabs Shadow and throws him onto the track. He tries choking him but Shadow pulls out a small taser and turns it on.

He punches Bruce in the face several times before pushing him off with his legs. Bruce, stunned once again, takes a few steps back as Shadow roundhouses him. Bruce falls to a knee as Shadow throws a kick, but Bruce blocks it. He pushes Shadow back to recover.

He gets back up and sees Shadow backing up on the track. Bruce charges once again only for Shadow to dodge and Bruce nearly trips on the tracks. Shadow tackles him and starts punching him repeatedly in the face. Bruce places his feet on his chest and tumbles backwards, throwing Shadow off of him.

Bruce goes in for more but Shadow hops up on the platform and kicks Bruce up his chin. Bruce chases Shadow as he grapples up to the roof as he gets out of the subway. Bruce follows him and grapples up after him. Bruce tackles Shadow in mid air but they fall to the roof and tumble.

They both get up as Bruce faces Shadow. Shadow pulls out a pistol, pointed towards Bruce's head, but Bruce swipes to the right, and takes the gun out of Shadow's hand. He swipes his arm but Shadow ducks. He knees Bruce in the chest as he pulls out a shotgun and pulls a couple of bullets attached to his leg and loads the gun.

He fires the gun but Bruce dodges. He pulls out another pistol and fires. One bullet hits Bruce in the leg, to which Bruce grunts. He slows down when Shadow kicks him in the face. Bruce yells.

"I think it's time to move in." Robin says.

Robin tackles Shadow and punches him twice in the face as Shadow pushes Robin off of him and Batgirl lands. Shadow turns to Bruce.

"Ah, ah, ah. That's cheating." He states.

Shadow runs and fires his gun, hitting Bruce in the arm. Shadow jumps from the roof across the alleyway to the other building but Bruce jumps with him and catches him in mid air. They go down and crash through a window. Inside that building is the hideout of the villains. Batgirl and Robin join. Bruce throws Shadow across the room.

"WHERE IS LUCIUS?!" Bruce yells.

Penguin walks into the room.

"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here!" Penguin says.

Scarecrow and Riddler walk out.

"Told you this was a bad idea." Riddler says.

"Enough talk. Let's fight!" Robin announces.

The villains and heroes charge at each other.

Batgirl takes Riddler and throws him across the room. As Riddler recovers, Batgirl punches him in the gut, and brings her elbow onto the back of his neck as he keels over. She knees him in the face, before grabbing him by his back and throwing him across the room again. She charges and kicks him across the face with her boot.

Robin throws his shuriken, knocking Penguin's gun out of his hand. He charges and tackles Penguin, punching him, and then headbutting him. He picks him up as Penguin jams another gun in his face. Robin lets him go and Penguin punches Robin, hard, across the face. Penguin pushes the gun in his face again but Robin knocks it out of his hand and kicks Penguin in the chest.

Bruce pushes Shadow to the ground and grabs Scarecrow by the wrist. He headbutts him twice and punches him in the face before tossing him to the ground. Bruce kicks the Shadow but Shadow dodges the second kick and jumps up. Bruce throws a couple of punches which Shadow dodges and punches Bruce in the face. He dodges another punch, and punches Bruce across the face.

Bruce grabs him by the collar and throws him towards the window, breaking it. Bruce grabs Shadow by his throat.

"I WANT LUCIUS! WHERE IS HE?!"

"Why should I give you your prize if you didn't play by the rules?" Shadow asks.

"You think this is some sort of game?!"

Scarecrow charges Bruce with a broken pipe but Robin punches him across the face. Shadow laughs.

"Until next time..." He states and kicks Bruce away.

He hops out the window. Bruce looks out the window. Shadow is already gone. Bruce looks back at the room. Scarecrow has already escaped and he sees an open door. Lucius is there, unconscious and tied up. Batgirl kicks Riddler and Robin punches him as well. Penguin runs as Riddler pushes a button on his cane.

A beeping noise is heard.

"There's a bomb!" Robin yells.

Riddler escapes and runs out of the building.

"Get out of here, now!" Bruce yells.

Robin and Batgirl grapple out of the windows as Bruce runs into the room, grabs Lucius, and they both fall out another window, as the apartment blows up and catches fire. Bruce lands on a car, crushing it. He feels Lucius's pulse. He's still alive.

They all return to the Batcave.

"Bruce, I saw the brutality you showed tonight, and I don't approve." Alfred says.

"And I don't care." Bruce replies.

"Venom isn't worth it, Master Bruce. Your recklessness almost got Lucius killed."

"Almost."

"Next time you won't be so lucky."

"I'm with Alfred on this one, Bruce." Dick states.

"Shut up, Dick."

"...look at what Venom is doing to you, Bruce. You're not you! You have to stop this! Now!" Barbara shouts.

"I am me!" Bruce shouts back.

"Look at yourself! You're brutal, you're uncompassionate, you even dressed up in your old vigilante suit because you didn't want to associate what Batman stands for with what you are now!" Alfred says.

"That's a lie!"

"Master Bruce, I will give you one last chance. No more Venom...or else..." Alfred states.

"Or else what?" Bruce asks.

"Answer the damn question!" Alfred shouts.

"...no."

"Fine. If that's the way you want to fight crime. That's perfectly fine. But I will not participate in these activities. I resign."

Alfred leaves the Batcave.

"So do I." Dick states and throws off his Robin mask. "I'm gone."

Dick leaves.

Batgirl throws her mask off.

"Sorry Bruce." Barbara says.

She leaves.

Later that night, Bruce walks into Gotham General and into the hospital room in which Gordon is in. He's being treated for his bullet wound.

"Gordon? Jim?" Bruce calls.

Gordon wakes up and looks at Bruce.

"Wayne? What are you doing here?" Gordon asks.

"I heard you got hurt. I remember you as the one who comforted me after my parents were shot. I have nothing else to do this Christmas. I decided to come visit." Bruce explains.

"Well thanks. I needed the company."

"What's the story with Christmas?"

"After a lot of begging, they said they'll let me go for a little while tomorrow. Just in time for Christmas dinner. Heard my daughter is bringing her boyfriend over for dinner tomorrow. Ugh. I'm getting older now, Bruce."

"We all do."

"Now I'm a cop that's just backup for the Batman. All that training for waste. I've thought quite a bit...that if I was a bit younger, maybe I could become the Batman. I always wanted to be a hero."

"You are the hero. You've saved many people, Jim. You've saved me."

"Thank you. I guess just not as big as the Batman."

"...no. You're even better. You're a good man. Merry Christmas."

Bruce leaves the hospital room. He returns to the Batcave and looks at his Batsuit. He takes the bottle of Venom pills and throws them across the room. He sits down at his chair in his Batsuit, with his mask off. He locks down the Batcave. No one's getting in, or out.

The Batman

Scarecrow thinks at his desk.

"Do you think what Cobblepot said could be true?" Scarecrow asks.

"And what did he say?" Shadow asks.

"That we need one more member of our...operation."

"I was thinking about that a lot. Riddler was here to make sure the plan would work. I'm the leader, you're here to challenge mentally, Penguin, physically. But we need someone to challenge him morally."

"And who's that?"

"I'm going to go recruit them now."

Shadow walks through the streets and stops at his destination.

"So this is where you find the big guy? ... Nice place..." Shadow states.

He sees his destination: An abandoned amusement park with the sign being spray painted with the words:

Joker's Funland

Next Time on the Batman: Riddle Me This... (2x13)

As Bruce struggles to be a hero without Venom, he must stop the Riddler, and get his team back together after the events of Christmas. Meanwhile, Gordon and Sarah look into the assassination attempt on Gordon's life.

A/N: Hello readers! Hope you are enjoying the story so far. I have decided though, that The Batman Season 2 will be taking a short break for the holidays. It will be back in action though in January. Happy Hanukkah/Merry Christmas and have a cool New Year. Please feel free to review though about how you feel about the story.

PHUUB FKULVWPDV...