THE DARK KNIGHT REBORN

by Nicholas P. Thronen

With Bruce Wayne hoping to have donned his Cape and Cowl for the last time, John Blake works tirelessly to restore order in Gotham in the wake of Bane's destruction. But a new evil lurks in the shadows – an opportunist, who is ready to exploit the vulnerable condition of a dilapidated city for his own malevolent plans, willing to do whatever it takes to create his new regal empire.

12. Scene 12

INT. BATCAVE - NIGHT

Wayne enters the Batcave to find Blake hard at work, researching.

WAYNE

What will you do when you find your father's killer?

Wayne continues to descend a staircase toward Blake.

BLAKE

I don't know.

Wayne looks up at the computer screen, revealing the killer of Blake's father, Antonio Zucco. He has a distinguishing scar on the right side of his face.

WAYNE

Your compassion, your devotion to justice, these are not weaknesses, they give us limits, teach us restraint, that is why they are so important... there is a line we cannot cross... for when we do, we lose our distinction, we become the very villains we are fighting against.

Wayne tosses the newspaper he took from Gordon on the table, this time it lands folded into thirds, perhaps intentionally, as the second crease falls just after 'night' and after the 'G' of 'Winged.'

FROM THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT IN

GOTHAM EMERGES A NEW WINGED HERO.

WAYNE

We cannot afford to cross that line, for the people are watching, looking to us to lead them.

Blake stares at the image of his father's killer for a moment longer, then looks down at the headline. Two words stand out, one right above the other - NIGHT WING. Blake turns his head slightly and moves closer, contemplating the words of his mentor and those lying before him. He has now become the new SYMBOL OF JUSTICE for Gotham, and that SYMBOL now has a name - NIGHTWING. He rises to put on his armor, with a renewed RESOLVE.

EXT. FOREST OUTSIDE OF THE BATCAVE - NIGHT

A slight whisper far away. It grows louder. The Nightbike approaches, traveling down a hidden path through the forest like lightning. It passes by in a flash.

INT. BATCAVE - CONTINUOUS

Wayne is seen tearing apart his newly purchased prototype. It is clear he has been at this for hours. He jots down notes on a note pad as he removes each part of the auto-drive mechanism.

EXT. GOTHAM CITY - NIGHT

The camera pans in on a dark, shadowy figure on the edge of a tower, his silhouette betrayed by the moonlight. NIGHTWING. He looks down on the city. WATCHING. WAITING.

INT. BATCAVE - CONTINUOUS

Wayne is modifying the Tumbler, adding the parts from his prototype with some modifications. He also makes several other modifications to the Tumbler itself and adds new software to the on-board computer, enhancing the auto-drive and the weaponry.

EXT. GOTHAM - NIGHT

Zsasz is waiting patiently in the shadows of a dark alley. A slender woman walks by the alleyway. Zsasz perks up, walks out to follow her, his thugs quickly following behind. He quickly grabs her and covers her mouth as she struggles to get free, TERRIFIED. He easily drags her back to the alley. Suddenly he is startled, as a strange figure appears in the distance, leaning calmly against the back wall of the alley. NIGHTWING. Startled, he loosens his grip slightly and the woman gets loose, running to safety past Nightwing.

ZSASZ

What is this? (laughing) Haven't you heard? The Batman is dead!

NIGHTWING

I don't claim to be him.

Nightwing disappears instantly into the shadows. Zsasz has a worried look, beginning to realize his mistake. Zsasz turns back and forth trying to locate this terror.

NIGHTWING (v.o.)

(almost a growl)

I am DARKNESS. I am VENGENCE. I am...

As Zsasz looks for a way to escape, Nightwing appears right next to Zsasz, grabbing him by his jacket. A DEATHGRIP. Zsasz struggles.

NIGHTWING

... NIGHTWING!

Nightwing headbutts Zsasz, knocking him to the ground, and he methodically beats the thugs to a pulp. Zsasz sees another woman walking by the alley and runs to her. He puts a knife to her throat. Nightwing disappears. Zsasz, still holding the woman hostage, turns from side to side to try to find Nightwing.

ZSASZ

(trembling)

Don't come near me. I'll cut her throat.

Nightwing appears again, launches one of his Eskrima sticks and hits Zsasz right between the eyes, stunning him and forcing his knife to slip from the woman's neck. Nightwing then flies toward the woman at incredible speed, swoops her out of Zsasz's grasp, sets her down safely, and returns to fight Zsasz, who has recovered and has two knives out. Nightwing fights him using hand to hand combat, quickly disarms him, and knocks him unconscious.

EXT. ROOFTOP, SOMEWHERE IN GOTHAM - NIGHT

Zsasz laying on the rooftop, clearly dazed and broken by the beating he has just received. A TERRIFYING creature is perched above him on the railing.

ZSASZ

(barely conscious)

You won't get anything from me. I am the master of pain in a meaningless world. Each of these scars represents my gift bestowed upon those lucky few whom I have liberated from their pointless existence.

NIGHTWING

You have known nothing of pain nor of fear until you have met me.

Nightwing crashes down on Zsasz, knee first into his gut.

NIGHTWING

How do you contact him?

ZSASZ

Who?

NIGHTWING

Your puppet-master, the Penguin.

ZSASZ

(terrified)

There is no contacting the Penguin. His associates summon you and you show up. There is no choice. Either you take the job or you end up dead.

Unsatisfied, Nightwing pulls out his Eskrima sticks, swinging them across shins of his prey. CRACK. Nightwing then quickly smashes them into the hands of Zsasz. CRUNCH. Zsasz screams in agony. Nightwing shows no mercy to this merciless serial killer.

NIGHTWING

(yelling)

Where did you met him? WHERE?

ZSASZ

They will kill me if I tell you.

NIGHTWING

Do you think they will get the chance if you don't?

Nightwing throws him against the railing, then roundhouse kicks him over the ledge. Zsasz crashes on a balcony 20 feet below, in immense pain yet relieved he was not plummeting to his doom. Nightwing jumps down and lands above Zsasz, instantly picking him up and throwing him against the railing of the balcony. Nightwing connects the Eskrima sticks, creating his bo, and he pins it deep in the throat of Zsasz, so his upper body is hanging over the ledge.

NIGHTWING

Last chance.

Zsasz peaks down, realizing his next fall will be 100 stories down to his death.

NIGHTWING

(yelling)

WHERE IS HE? WHERE?

ZSASZ

SSSSomewhere near the Iceberg Lounge... a warehouse...

Nightwing swings his bo, a crushing blow to Zsasz's skull, knocking him out cold. His body falls limp onto the balcony floor. Police sirens surround the building. Footsteps up the stairs.

POLICEMAN

Freeze!

Nightwing turns his head slightly toward the policeman and grins, satisfied. He flips backward off the ledge and disappears into the darkness of night.