Reign: Gotham
"To The Dark Tower Came"
Issue 2 (Of 3) By James Brady
2 Days ago, Gotham City
The Vincefinkel Bridge was constructed in 1846 by famous architect Cyrus Pinkney, used to connect the small Island of Gotham to the rest of the Country. Since Gotham's inception the Bridge is almost always used for outgoing traffic rather than incoming traffic. The only traffic that comes into Gotham are vans carrying either Akrham Inmates being admitted or corporate supply trucks, very rarely are there cars coming in. For the past two weeks the Bridge has been used almost never with every now and again a family packing up and leaving. Today James Gordon got a call from Mr. Finger, the tollgate operator, the last one who has stayed, saying that, a car is entering Gotham and that James is going to want to see who it is.
Gordon leaves the Office of the GCPD and drives up towards the Bridge. Thick fresh snow layers the ground of the Bridge as Gordon is forced to get out and walk. He sees another Police Car stop as the Driver decides to walk the rest of the way rather than risk the chance of a crash due to the thick ice under the snow.
They two individuals meet.
"You know this is basically suicide right? No one ever comes back to Gotham City." Gordon says cynically with a hint of playfulness in his tone.
"Always the nihilist eh, Jimmy? Look on the bright side," He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a large metallic box with a small lightning bolt symbol on the side. "- I brought the fuse box that you wanted."
"Great, thanks, Harv." Gordon says taking the box from him and putting it in the trunk of the Police Car.
Officer Bullock hands Gordon a cigar and the two smoke atop the Bridge looking over Gotham and towards the dark Kryptonian Tower at the edge of town.
"Creepy innit?" Bullock shudders.
"I never get used to seeing it." Gordon grumbles. "I'm glad you're back. We're gonna need all the hands we can get on this one."
"Yeah. Even if it is suicide, your plans are always a laugh, despite the circumstances. It's the end of the world and you have a plan, some cocky bastard you are."
"We're taking it back, Harv. We're taking it all back."
"Me an' you... against a Kryptonian? I like David Vs. Goliath stories as much as the next guy but this is ridiculous."
"I got a guy." James says with a smirk. "C'mon. We've got a stop to make on the way back to town."
4 Days Ago
The Police Car rolls through the streets of The West End further into the darkness of the city. James Gordon feels the great power that almost seems to emit from Bane who sits beside him. They sit in solemn silence as they drive on.
"You think he'll have much resistance? He was Gotham's most powerful crimelord after all." Bane asks.
"Oh please, the guy's probably eating out of the garbage like the rest of us."
"You're eating out of the Garbage?"
"It's not like I stocked up tinned food that much. I was a microwave dinner guy."
"I haven't eaten in years."
"What?"
"You remember. Back when I first battled Batman I was hooked on the Venom Drug, meant I never had to eat or sleep. Water was the only sustenance I'd ever need."
"Did you crap?"
"Well... I mean yes. The excess venom had to go somewhere. It was... painful."
"And how're you coping without it? What with Batman cutting off your supply and all."
"Cut off my supply? Him defeating me made me realise, I was using it as a crutch. I went into the Patagonian jungle and went cold. I had to re learned basically how to walk and speak, I was so mentally and physically drained after it."
"That's pretty intense. I know it doesn't really compete but after my wife died, I became an alcoholic. It was bad for a while, I almost lost my job and I went to help groups and eventually I kicked it and I got myself back together. It was a difficult time for me but, y'know Barbra helped me get through it and I was proud for a while y'know."
"Was proud?"
"Yeah well y'know how I said I didn't stockpile tinned food?"
"Yes?"
James pulls a small bottle of whisky from under the glove box of the car.
"I've started drinking again." He says solemnly.
The car pulls up in front of a small dark building with iron railings outside, trapped in snow. Gordon pulls his coat over his shoulder as he exits the car with Bane following in his huge billowing manner.
Gordon walks to the door and knocks.
"You're just going to knock on the door?" Bane questions. "Are you suicidal? Because if you are I'd best know."
"I'm not. I'm fine."
They wait for another few seconds before Gordon tries to door handle. It slowly creeks open. Gordon reaches for his coat and opens it revealing his worn down badge. He pokes his head in the door and shouts,
"I'm an officer of the law, I'm now entering this residency. I am armed!"
He steps back and waits for a few seconds before turning and walking into the building.
"That outta do it."
The pair walk into the building with Bane bending down to fit through the door frame. Gordon watches a couple of birds fly over head. All through the building are large empty crates. They walk through the creepy old house and up a flight of stairs. Gordon keeps his hand on his gun as they go.
"Shh..." Bane whispers.
"Huh?" Gordon listens and hears faint music. They go towards the source and come to an old drawing room. Outside the door a family of quails peck at left over grain. Gordon is about to go to open the door when Bane puts his hand on his gently pushes Gordon out of the way and steps into the room himself.
The room is covered in large cages filled with birds. A short fat man dressed in dirty pyjamas feeds the birds from a large sack of seeds. He seems to be mumbling to himself with an umbrella under his arm as a record player plays low Jazz music.
"Oswald Cobblepot." Bane says.
The short man slowly turns his face revealing his small flattened face with a disproportionate nose pointing out like a icicle. A monocle is plugged into his left eye and a cigarette is stuffed in his mouth.
"What?" He grunts in his harsh nasally voice.
"Mister Cobblepot, I'm James Gordon of the GCPD and this is um... Bane. We're going to need your help."
"My help?" He grunts turning around fully to face them. "What could you possibly want to do?"
"We're looking to take back our city." Gordon says seriously.
The Penguin stares at the two men, silently watching them as his face slowly begins to break into a smile.
"Waugh... Waugh... whaughwaughwaughwaughwaughWAUGHWAUGHWAUGHWAUGGHHHH!" The Penguin begins to laugh his maniacal, creepy, almost inhuman laugh almost keeling over. Gordon and Bane look at each other awkwardly.
The Penguin eventually stops laughing and rubs the tears from his eyes with his white gloves.
"ahhhhh... Alright when do we start?"
Now, The East End
Holly Robinson stares out her window as the snow comes down over the roof tops of the city, not too far away from her, just off the shore behind the large cargo warehouses is the huge spiralling Macabre Kryptonian tower, its intricate technological spires warped around the huge glowing panels. Holly taps at the cold window, her breath fogging up the glass.
Thunk!
Holly turns around to see her roommate, Selina tightening the laces on her leather boot while wearing a skin tight leather outfit. On the sofa is a cat like mask with goggles.
"Didn't know you where still workin with the whole Kryptonian Apocalypse thing going on. Another fetish client?" Holly asks.
"Not exactly." Selina replies.
"What's with the cat mask?"
"Y'know that Batman guy?"
"NO! He's your client?"
"What no! It's just like, he wears a Mask that looks like a Bat and I'm gonna wear a Mask that looks like a cat."
"Do you know where he is? Are you gonna # *& him?"
"Holly no calm down. I'm not no." She grabs the mask and shows it to Holly. "This is our way out. This is why we're never gonna hook again."
"So this is what you've been doing all these nights and sneakin in at 6 in the morning and the Judo and Karate lessons. Well hate to break it to you Selly but it's the end of the world, we ain't gonna do nothing no more."
Selina walks over to the window and opens it as far as it can go letting a draft it. She gets onto the ledge and turns to look at Holly.
"Not if I can help it."
She then leaps out of the building and away into the dark. Holly calls after her but she's on a roll.
Selina stomps along the crunchy roof top snow, she leaps from one building to the next and lands with a thwud and a pulse of adrenaline. She continues over the houses till she comes close to the docks where she sees it, The Kryptonian Tower. She cracks her knuckles and continues towards the Dark Tower.
2 Days ago, The Batcave
Alfred feeds the Bats of the cave chucking the fried chicken up at them as they leap from their perching spots, catching the chicken in their small claws and teeth and tearing them to shreds. Alfred usually enjoys watching the colony of bats eating but there is coldness in their being. Something not right.
He dusts down the Batmobile half way and then gives up. He looks at the case of the empty Batsuits. The new ones and the ones Bruce is trying to fix. They all look so immaculate in their cases.
Alfred wonders if Bruce is still keeping the diary like he told him to. He wonders if he's looking after Dick Grayson and Barbara like he should be. He wonders... if he'll ever come back and what Alfred will do with all of... this... Will he sell them? How do you sell a Batmobile?
He suddenly hears the door bell alarm from the Computer and rushes up the stairs. He walks through the hall ways of Wayne Manor and comes to the large oak door. He looks through the latch to see James Gordon and Harvey Bullock standing in the door way.
He opens the door.
"Mister Pennyworth. I'm James Gordon of the GCPD. This is my partner Harvey Bullock and we'd like to ask you about your employer, Mister Wayne."
"Ah. Um. Of course come in officers. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?"
"We're good thanks."
Gordon and Bullock step into the mansion and follow Alfred into the lounge. Jim and Alfred sit down on opposite chairs as Harvey begins to patrol the room looking around suspiciously. Jim begins to write on a piece of paper while talking to Alfred.
"Bruce Wayne hasn't been seen in Gotham for a few weeks now and because of the... current situation we're trying to make sure who has and who hasn't been captured by the Kryptonian living outside of Gotham."
"Ah well you see Mister Wayne left Gotham on a business trip to Europe a day or so before the Kryptonian took residence in the city and due to... the current situation he hasn't been able to get a return flight. I haven't heard from him since the power went out."
"Ah. Very well that's all I needed to know. If you learn anymore about Mister Wayne's whereabouts please contact me on my cellphone or visit me at this address."
Gordon hands Alfred a piece of paper and gets up to leave.
"Glad I could be of service." Alfred says as they leave the Manor.
"Stay safe now." Gordon says getting into the police car.
As they drive away Alfred looks down at the note. It reads.
Meet me at Outside the Ice Berg Lounge at Midnight. We've got a lot to discuss.
Next to it is a small drawing of the Batman Logo.
Now, Kryptonian Tower
Selina begins to climb up the large spire towards the top of the Tower. The technological legs of the huge Tower almost seem to hum with energy. She feels to cold pinching at her but she continues to climb higher. She manages to make it to the top of the huge spire to the large circular base at the top. She sits in-between the spires and waits. She hears the thunderous footsteps of the Kryptonian as he roams around the Tower.
"C'mon Gordon. Where's my distraction?" She whispers under her breath.
3 Days Ago, Warehouse
The Penguin and Bane stand in the abandoned warehouse with James Carlos and his gang standing behind them. In front of them are a group of about 20 men all with some kind of creepy Black Mask on.
"And where is The Black Mask?" Bane asks.
One of the Black Mask Gang Members steps forward. "He skipped town. We're all that's left."
"And this is it? With the Falcone's taken out* we're all that's left of Gotham's organised crime." Penguin asks with a snort.
"Pretty much." The Gang Member says.
"You get the goods?" Penguin asks.
"Yep." The Gang Member replies.
One of the Blackmask Gang Members pushes a crate trolley towards them. They open it to reveal the piles of Fireworks inside.
"Haha! Not bad." Penguin says rubbing his hands. He turns to see Bane's reaction but instead of looking at the fireworks he's looking at the Gang Members.
"'This won't be enough, Cobblepot. We need more men." Bane says with a hint of anger in his otherwise monotone voice.
"Hey I did what the plan said! How is this my fault? Huh?" Penguin snarls looking up at Bane.
Before Bane can answer another voice enters the room.
"I hope I'm not intruding gentlemen..."
They turn to see a man wearing an impressive business suit standing in the hallway. On his face is a creepy looking white Owl Mask.
"But if you're looking for numbers. I believe I can assist."
"Damn..." Bane mumbles.
2 Days Ago, The Ice Berg Lounge
Alfred pulls up in the Wayne Limo outside the Ice Berg Lounge. He stops himself from instinctively opening the back door of the limo and walks towards the entrance. James Carlos and his gang stand at the exit relaxing and smoking Bullock's Cigars. Alfred approaches.
"Um hello. I'm supposed to meet James Gordon of the GCPD here. I'm um Alfred Pennyworth."
"Pennyworth? Yeah Gordon's inside with the others."
"Others?" Alfred thinks to himself as he walks through the doors.
The once roaring Lounge and Bar is turned into a murky dank palace with Candles lighting the blue colour scheme of the room. Around the circular table in the middle of the room are James Gordon, Bane, Catwoman and The Penguin with a large map of Gotham in the middle of the table.
"Who's this?" Bane asks.
"This is Alfred Pennyworth. The last man with access to electricity and technology in all of Gotham." Gordon says stepping forward to shake his hand.
"Um hello. What exactly is this Mister Gordon?" Alfred asks slightly confused and frightened.
"Welcome to the resistance Pennyworth. Pull up a seat."
Now, The Roof of the GCPD
James and Alfred carry a large metal circular disk up the steps of the stair well towards the Roof. Gordon opens the door to the roof and they carry the large disk out onto the top of it.
They put it down with a thunk next to the Bat Signal.
"Good job on the diverting of the power from the Manor to here by the way." Gordon says as he walks over to the Signal. "Worked like a charm."
"Somehow Bruce knew buying up the power company was a going to come in handy."
Gordon fits the fuze box given to him by Bullock into the place of the old broken one. With a fritz of electricity the Signal begins to hum with power.
Gordon pulls out a screw driver and starts to unscrew the bolts of the large metal symbol and drop them on the ground. Soon all the bolts are off and Gordon with the help of Alfred are able to lift the metal symbol off the Signal. They put it to one side.
"Alright. Now for the new one." Gordon says.
Now, The Tower
Nam-Ek one of Zod's most trusted and most powerful field commanders does one handed push ups on the floor in the middle of the Kryptonian Tower. His massive body rises up and down as he doesn't break a sweat. He eventually gets frustrated and slams his fist on the floor creating a large dent that quickly heals itself. The computer system of the Tower begins to speak.
"Lord Ek. You're heart rate has increased dramatically. Is there something wrong?"
"Yes! How dare Zod leave me here to keep watch on some insignificant human rat hole?" He clenches his fist as he begins to pace the floors.
"I have the power of a god. I should be out there conquering this land like I did back on Krypton not sitting here with all my power doing nothing! I can't sweat, I can't tire! I'm restless! This is what I was made for, Conquer! And Zod has the audacity to leave me here like I'm some underling!"
"How about we test your mental skills? We could play chess again or-"
"Silence! I grow weary of your talk."
Nam-Ek wanders over to the walls of the tower and looks out into the night sky over the city.
"This pathetic city..." He grumbles to himself.
He stares across the sky line till he sees a ray of light beaming up into the sky. He follows the light with his eyes up into the sky where he see a yellow halo of light surrounding... A Kryptonian Symbol? Nam-Ek reads the symbol...
"War" he mumbles. "Very well then Gotham... if it is war you want... it is war you shall receive."
Next Issue: The Climactic Conclusion to Reign: Gotham!