Kirk, after enduring his un-transformation, collapsed on the floor. Batman watched as the lab door slid open to reveal Kirk's colleague, Scott, walk into the room. He kneeled down with a terribly sinister smile and malicious intent in his eye. He grabbed Kirk's hair roughly, lifting his head up before slamming it hard back on the floor.

"Have a nice night out, Kirk?" He spit on his face, releasing his hair and rising to his feet. "You're aren't done yet, you weak bastard." He took a syringe with red fluid inside. "We could've both been rich kings, Kirk. We could've have drowned in sweet, luxurious pleasures. Money, women… we could've had it all. Instead, you wanted to save this miracle weapon for children and the weak… you sicken me!" With vehement fury on his face, Scott kicked Kirk's unconscious body with all his strength. "But I'll be king without you… the day Falcone's assistant approached me was officially my ticket to paradise..."

"Goddamnit, Kirk, you stubborn ass!" Scott, exasperated from arguing with Kirk for hours, wiped his hand over his face. "Why can't you look beyond this serum's civil applications? This is a weapon the world would rush to purchase!"

"And why can't you get past your own greed, Scottie? Money is arbitrary. They are far too many people suffering, dying and this is their cure. This is their escape from the darkness."

"Ugh! There's no talking to you!" Scott turned around and with a huff, stormed out of the lab. Fuming, the scientist made his way to his office, locking the door after entering it.

"Damn you Kirk… why can't you..." At Scott's desk, his chair, which was facing the other way, spun around to reveal a short, pudgy man wearing a top hat and holding an umbrella. With shock and indignation written on his face, Scott demanded, "Who the hell are you?!"

Cobblepot interlocked his fingers with a devious smile decorating his face. "My name is Oswald Cobblepot. I work for Don Falcone and he has shown some interest in this serum you're developing."

Scott gave him a suspicious look. "Why?"

"Its… militaristic applications intrigue him. Don Falcone is willing to pay a large sum for your services."

Scott's eyes widened. "How-how much?"

"Depends on how you please him, but he's quite generous. I'd estimate around 20 million for starters."

Scott could help the smile from creeping onto his face. Kirk suddenly popped onto his mind and with the thought came the sudden contortion of his face, ridden with hatred. "My-my partner," He breathed out in anger. "He wouldn't consent. And it hasn't even been tested on a human being before..."

"Well, I think we've found our perfect candidate. Inject your colleague with the serum, study the results then get back to us. If all is successful, and we can use the weapon to our operational use, then you will be paid quite handsomely." Oswald ascended from the chair, hobbling towards the door. He tipped his hat to Scott, before exiting his office, leaving the scientist to contemplate on his offer.

Back in the lab, Kirk was fiddling with the serum, writing notes in his journal. He looked toward a frame, with the photo showing him, his wife and his young son smiling at the camera. The lab door opened to reveal Scott walking back into the room. "Scott?"

Scott sighed. "Listen, Kirk, I'm sorry about earlier. It got a little heated. We have different views of how the science should be applied, but let's not let the science tear us into enemies."

With a look of pleasant surprise, Kirk nodded in agreement. "Of course, Scott. Thank you. I'm sorry too."

Scott reached from behind his back and handed his colleague a lemonade. "A peace offering."

"Thanks." Scott downed the drink, before dropping the glass and letting it crash on the floor, glass and lemonade everywhere. Scott then collapsed on the floor, out cold from a drug Scott slipped into the drink. Scott stepped over Kirk's unconscious body and took a syringe. He filled up the fluid into the syringe and stuck it into Kirk's neck.

"Now, we'll see what this can do..."

"I never did expect it to turn you into a huge bat nor did I count on the amnesia you'd suffer afterwards but it was God's blessing, for sure." He reached down and pulled off a small chip on the back of Scott's neck. "I'll have to thank my associate at S.T.A.R. Labs for letting me borrow his prototype mind control device. It allowed me to use you in anyway I wanted. It surely helped that all your cognitive functions were shut down, except your most primitive functions. All they really needed you for was defending some files and framing some insane vigilante. And now, I'm rich. Hahah! To think, you could've been a part of it Kirk but your naive ideology cripples you. Survival of the fittest, my friend. Survival of the fittest." Scott knelt down and was about to inject the syringe but just then, he saw the Batman himself crash through the window, landing in a crouched position. Scott couldn't react fast enough as Batman pounced, knocking the syringe out of his hand and delivering a cold, hard, painful punch of justice to the man's face. He made sure the punch was hard enough to break the man's nose, but not so hard to have knocked him out. He still needs information. He grabbed the man by the ankle, dragging him to the now open window and holding him over the ledge by the leg.

"AH! P-please! Please don't!"

"You turned Kirk Langstrom into a monster to protect Falcone's files. In order to order him to the location, it had to have been revealed to you. Tell me where it is!"

"I-I can't! They'll- they'll kill me!"

Batman didn't even hesitate. He released his hold of the man's ankle and he dropped like a rock, screaming at the top of his lungs as he plunged to what seemed to him like his certain doom. He suddenly stopped, a line wrapped around his leg. He was pulled back up to the demon who dropped him. Batman grabbed his collar and brought him to face to face. He glared into his eyes, the pathway to the soul, and made the scientist realize in full extent who he's dealing with.

"Next time you fall, you won't stop. Talk!"

"I-I-I-"

"If you don't, I'll make sure your very definition of pain be redefined right here at this very moment. Do you understand?"

"Yes, please! I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"

"Of course you will."

After spilling the beans of all that he knew, Batman knocked Scott out with an elbow to the temple before tossing him aside like a sock. He then pressed his fingers to his ear. "You record all that, Alfred?"

"Yes sir. Backup copies being processed now as we speak."

"Good. I'm going to deliver this information to a few people that I think might be interested in it. Then I'll make sure that Falcone doesn't get a chance to move the records."

"And after the whole process has been completed, what will happen then?"

Batman smiled a small but sincere smile. "A little bit of Gotham's soul would've returned." Batman ended the transmission before turning his attention to Kirk. He knelt down next to him and checked his pulse. His heart rate was normal but he'd be out for awhile. Batman glanced at the mind control device. He grabbed it and stowed away for further investigation. Batman hoisted Kirk onto his shoulder before grappling downwards to his car. He drove to Kirk's house, a small apartment complex in a relatively safe neighborhood. As safe as you can get in Gotham, anyway. Batman quietly entered his bedroom to see Kirk's wife sleeping soundly. Batman walked over to the bed and gently layed Kirk in his bed next to his wife. The bedroom door opened and a sleepy 8 year old child peeked in. He was wide eyed at seeing a bat-like figure standing in his parents' bedroom. Batman held his finger to his lips, motioning for the child to stay quiet. The child nodded slowly, his eyes taking in all of the hard to see features of Batman and he had to admit… he looked awesome. Batman turned to exit the window, climbing onto the sill and then jumping down into his car seat. The child quickly ran up to see Batman drive off, smiling wide at the disappearing vehicle.

Gordon sifted through some files from his desk, drinking coffee from his 'Bout to be a Dad' mug. His lights suddenly shut off for a second. He looked around in confusion, before the lights switched back on. Except now, Batman was standing in the middle of the room. Gordon rose up and quickly pulled out his gun.

"What the hell are you doing here?!"

Batman tossed an SD card onto Gordon's desk. "This is the location of the files Falcone keeps to blackmail all the city officials. There are also recordings of conversations, lists of people on Falcone's payroll in-state and out of state."

Gordon hesitantly re-lodged his gun into place, before relaxing his stance slightly but staying tense just in case. He plugged the card into his computer. "How did you get this?" After receiving no answer, he looked up to see Batman gone. "Oh, I'm really gonna learn to hate that, aren't I..."

Harvey Dent was standing on a bridge overlooking the river and delivered a spectacularly beautiful view of the city. He was flipping his coin, thoughts flowing in his head like the water below. This city was so beautiful at night. The buildings' lights illuminated the view but the city's combined lights couldn't blot out the full view of the moon and all her glory. The city seemed peaceful from afar, benevolent. Harvey turned his sight to the river below, the moon and stars reflecting off its surface. He knew it was a lie. The city was built on the graves of demons, with the Devil himself whispering into the citizens' ears. He was in evil's playground, where hope and justice weren't the norms. They were detested, reviled. Rape, abuse, death, theft all so prevalent. It's as if anyone living here was cursed to have their souls rot and polluted. Is there hope? Can anything, anyone, save Gotham City?

"Enjoying the view?"

Harvey caught his coin before turning his head to see the mysterious Batman standing behind him. "It helps me clear my head when things get… overwhelming. What're you doing here?"

"As we speak, Gordon and his men are raiding a building and confiscating records and files that you can use to take down Falcone and all his associates."

This caused Dent to shift around completely, shock written flat-out on his face. "What?! How-how-"

"I've been busy. All I need to know is if you're still willing to hold your end of the bargain. After your DA gets taken down, you may have to take his place. "

Harvey smirked wildly, a look of fire in his brown eyes. "You bet your ass I am. I'll make sure those sons of bitches are put behind bars for the rest of their lives. Just leave all to me, Batman."

Batman nodded before turning to leave. "Wait."

Batman turned his head back. "You… uh..." Harvey ruffled his hair as he struggled to find the proper words. He looked down at his coin for a moment before looking up to see Batman had vanished. Harvey simply smiled.

"Thanks for not leaving this city to chance, Batman."

"This is Vicki Vale. We just got a report from an anonymous source that Detective James Gordon has confiscated files that detail specific alliances between Carmine Falcone and multiple city officials, most notably Commissioner Gillian Loeb and the late Mayor Adam Stevens. CEOs have been hauled off to jail and Harvey Dent has been promoted to District Attorney after his predecessor was revealed to be on Falcone's payroll as well. Loeb is under federal investigation for racketeering and Harvey Dent is expected to lead the prosecution. Time will reveal more. Jim?"

"Thank you Vicki. DA Alexandra Hewlett was taken to jail today, making 26 year old Harvey Dent the youngest person to become DA. On a lighter note, we have..."

Batman, with his cowl removed, switched off the report on his computer before leaning back on his chair and exhaling a long, quiet breath. Alfred walked over with a glass of water and placed it next to Bruce.

"It seems, after all your struggling, that you have finally won, sir."

Bruce looked back up at the screen. "No… not yet." He typed up a few maps, reports and photos. "This is everything that has been collected on the KOBRA group. I only have a few reports coming from the local towns in Brazil of some hooded cultists taking in members. Nothing on their leader either. This group has remained a mystery but it seemed that they're pros in working in the shadows. Aside from Gotham, police have found overdosed victims of Venom in Star City, Central City, Los Angeles and even other countries such as Beijing and Sweden."

"Is there really such profit in selling such a drug?"

"Apparently so, but that can't be all there is." Bruce pulled up a police report. "This was the report written out by Gordon. He had a run in with a Venom user awhile ago. The characteristics of his confrontation are consistent with the same encounter I had. If people become that strong by taking this drug, then it could be extremely probable that Kobra is building up a super army."

"Frightening."

"It will be if they succeed. That's why I need to locate the group, take down its leader and disband it for good."

"Do you have any leads then?"

"Not yet. But Falcone was doing business with him. He might know something."

"Isn't he locked up in Blackgate?"

"Yes. He'll be there until his trial. I won't visit him tonight." Bruce glanced at the computer's digital clock. It showed 5:00 A.M. "It's late." Bruce rose up from his chair before ascending his stairs, exiting the cave.

In a jet flying over unknown waters, the hooded KOBRA leader watched the news report, listening to Vicki Vale talking about Falcone's imprisonment and the federal investigation into his activities. His subordinate looked down at his leader.

"Will the FBI's investigation not lead back to us, Lord Kobra?"

Kobra shut off the TV screen. "Have no fear. Our trail has been covered sufficiently enough to keep any agencies from peering into our existence and activities."

"What shall happen now that The Roman has been defeated?"

Kobra gently placed his chin on the backside of his wrist. "It is… an inconvenience to be sure, but certainly not enough to stop my plans. Gotham will be mine. I will build my empire and then KOBRA will overtake the world."

Another subordinate walked in with a phone in her hand. "For you, my Lord."

Kobra took the phone and placed it on his ear. "What is it? Ah, yes. A set back but it will not deter us. I want you to contact our men in Gotham City and have their regulars prepare themselves. Now that our main form of distribution is behind bars, we will be required to move forward with what is on our plate. Yes, yes. Good. Have it done." Kobra shut off the phone, handing it back to the KOBRA henchwoman. He then looked out of the window, staring at the seemingly bottomless blue sea. "It would seem as if I have underestimated this man… he is far more dangerous than anticipated. But fear not young man… your end is near."

It was years ago. Still young. Fierce. Before he was ready. Before he knew. But he was still training. Preparing himself. It was a hot summer day, he was training in an isolated monastery with monks. Endowing himself with spiritual discipline, mental and physical tolerance. As of now, he walked across the blazing rocks while his teachers looked on. He stepped on them, its heat blazing and eating through the skin of his feet. His mind was oblivious to the pain. It was clear, focused. He took another step, inhaling until his stomach was inflated. Another step. He exhaled, his stomach expanding until it was slightly beyond his chest. He repeated this process until he has reached the end. His masters rose up from the seat in the grass, congratulating him on the completion of his training.

"Congratulations, Young Alex Hanson." They bowed to him in respect. "You have mastered our ways."

'Alex Hanson' bowed in kind. He threw on his shirt and hoisted his small, traveling bag onto his shoulder. On his way out, one of his teachers caught up to him. "I am impressed at how far you progressed, Young Alex. In only a few months, you have mastered what takes years for others. Where does such fierce determination stem from?"

"I just… want to be the best I can be as fast as possible is all. Thank you for your time, Master." The young traveler continued on his way, making his way out of the monastery grounds. He suddenly found himself within the local town, walking through the shops and weaving through the bustles of people and commotion. His eye caught a dark haired, young white girl about his age walking out of the bazaar with a bag in her hand. The girl wore loose baggy pants and a tank top. She walked until she found herself in front of small desolate apartment building. She ascended the steps, but who she saw at the top caused her to widen her eyes in shock.

"Bruce?"

He was leaning at the doorway, looking down at her coolly. "It's been awhile, Zee."

"What're you doing here?"

"Right back at ya."

Zatanna walked through the doorway with Bruce following close behind. "My father came here on business. I'm here just helping out a friend. Your turn."

"I was studying at a monastery nearby."

"Do you ever stop training?" She stopped at a door, before knocking on it twice.

"Can't afford to. Mind if I stick around?"

She smiled at him softly. "You know I don't."

The door opened with an old woman peeking through. Zatanna smiled and gave a small wave. "Ah, Ms. Zatanna!" She exclaimed in joy. She quickly unlocked the door. "Come in, come in!"

Zatanna and Bruce walked in, letting the woman close the door. Zatanna placed the bag on the counter before turning around to face the woman. "Mrs. Krashna, this my friend-"

Bruce held out his hand. "Alex Hanson." He stated with a smile.

She shook his hand softly with both hands, a wide smile on her face. "Welcome, welcome!"

Zatanna had raised an eyebrow at his fake name but chose not to ponder on it. She began rummaging through her bag, taking out various vegetables and spices. "I'll get started on dinner, alright?"

"Thank you for everything, Ms. Zatanna. Truly, truly, you are a nice girl." She walked to her bedroom to nap, leaving Bruce and Zatanna alone.

"So, you feel like helping me cook, 'Alex'?"

Bruce chuckled, placing his bag on the floor. "Sure. You lead, I follow."

She gave him a blank look. "You have no clue how to cook, do you?"

"No idea, no."

Zatanna shook her head. "So, you travel the world learning combat, science, and all the other skills a man could accumulate, but you couldn't take a few weeks to learn how to boil water?"

Bruce, in a genuine moment of embarrassment, sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh… care to teach me?"

Zatanna merely smiled. Hours later, Mrs. Krishna awoke to the smell of food. She walked out of her bedroom, making her way to the kitchen to see Zatanna and Bruce finishing up dinner. Neither of them seemed to notice her presence.

"No, no, don't put that there. It goes over here." Zatanna instructed.

"Sorry, sorry."

"You two, make beautiful couple." She stated with a smile, nodding in agreement with herself. The two 'lovebirds' quickly turned around with Bruce a bit wide eyed while Zatanna was blushing.

"Uh, we're not, um.." Bruce stammered.

"We're not a, uh, couple." She replied, quickly wagging her finger at her and Bruce.

Mrs. Krishna merely tilted her head to the side, the smile still on her face. "Soon. Soon." She predicted.

Zatanna and Bruce merely glanced at each other, before Zatanna quickly changed the subject, setting up a rug for them to eat on. As dinner ended, night fell, and Mrs. Krishna hummed an old song from her younger days after hearty conversation and good food. Zatanna and Bruce bid her farewell, exiting her apartment and the building.

Bruce stretched out his body, before glancing around. "I'm going for a walk. Want to come?"

"Sure. Why not?"

The two walked out of the town, making their way beyond the hills to a small spot near the river. It had dozens of flowers, and the moon, in full, delivered a beautiful glow to the land below. Zatanna marveled at the sight before their eyes. "Wow… Bruce… this is… amazing..."

Bruce smiled sadly. "Yes… I would come here sometimes… it reminded me of my mother's garden."

She looked at him, sympathy in her eyes. She grabbed his arm, guiding him toward a spot near the water. They sat down, simply enjoying nature and its serenity.

"So," Bruce started, setting his bag down. "How do you know her?"

"Mrs. Krishna? I met her a few years back. She knew my mother and they were apparently close friends. Everytime I visit this country, I try to visit her and help her out. She has no family, so..."

"That's nice of you."

"Yeah." She turned to face him. "Bruce?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you leave us so soon?"

"I learned everything that I needed to know."

"That's not true. We could've introduced you to the mystical arts, further your training."

"I'm not interested in magic."

"Why?"

"It's… it's just… It's too easy. It'd undermine all the effort I put into my training if I could just say a spell and suddenly become strong."

Zatanna sighed. "It doesn't work like that, Bruce. And besides, why does everything have to be hard? Can't you just take it easy for once, enjoy the moment?"

Bruce turned to her, a sly grin on his face. "I'm enjoying the moment now."

Zatanna gave a light chuckle. "That doesn't count."

Bruce leaned in closer. "Doesn't it?"

Zatanna and Bruce closed their eyes, leaning in close until their lips met. Zatanna gently pushed Bruce on the ground, climbing atop him. What followed was passionate, unknown feelings expressed in a sensual moment of pleasure under the moonlight. She was Bruce's first.

Bruce opened his eyes, turning his body on his back and staring up at the ceiling. It's been awhile since he had a dream that didn't involve tragedy. Still, it's been a long time since he's thought about her. He remembered the feeling. For a moment, he couldn't feel the pain. When they were together, it didn't hurt like it used to. But Bruce couldn't let the pain lessen. No. He needed the pain. To drive him, to push him forward. Bruce got up from his bed, slipping into a bathrobe. He descended downstairs, making his way to the kitchen to see Alfred already cooking up breakfast.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Master Bruce."

Bruce pulled up a seat and sat down. "When did you get up, Alfred?"

"About an hour ago. I suppose your sleeping habits are starting to rub off on me."

The phone rang. "Wayne Residence." Alfred answered. "Yes? Of course, here he is." Alfred handed Bruce the phone. "Mr. Harvey Dent, sir."

Bruce put the phone to his ear. "Harvey, hey! How's our new DA?"

"Bitchin'." Bruce chuckled. "Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to come by and check out my new office. We can even go for lunch. I'll treat."

"Alright, sounds good. I'll be there in 15.

"Cool. By the way, the part about me treating was a joke."

"I figured."

Bruce hung up the phone, handing it back to Alfred. Alfred then handed him a plate of eggs with a side of mixed fruit and tea. Later on, Harvey led Bruce to his new office. Bruce whistled, impressed by Harvey's setup.

"What do you think?"

"Impressive. I didn't think they'd have you set up so fast."

"Yeah… it's all thanks to him." He muttered quietly.

Though Bruce heard him, he feigned ignorance. "Hm?"

"Nothing. So, lunch?"

"Yeah, I know a great little place." The two men exited the office, walking down the hallway toward elevator.

"Hey, by the way, I met a girl last week."

"Yeah, what's her name?"

"Grace. Grace Whittman. She's amazing, Bruce. I've never met someone I've felt so in sync with. It's incredible. It's almost like she's my other half."

"That's great, Harv. I'm happy for you." After arriving at the elevator, Bruce pressed the down button. "Maybe you could introduce me to her. I could invite a friend and we could double-date."

The two stepped inside, descending down to the first floor. "Heh, so says Gotham's number one bachelor. Wouldn't be the least bit shocked if you brought at least three world-famous super models to dinner."

Bruce laughed heartily. "I'm gonna take that as an invitation to do so." Harvey simply shook his head in amusement. Exiting the building, the men were bombarded by reporters and cameras.

"Mr. Dent! Mr. Wayne!"

"What is your opinion on the investigations of the Commissioner Loeb?"

"Are you planning to prosecute?"

"Mr. Wayne, is your family's company being investigated?"

"Mr. Wayne, Dr. Jonathan Crane has also been linked to crimes relating to employment with Falcone. What're your thoughts on this?" Bruce turned his attention to the reporter to see it was the beautiful Vicki Vale.

"Well, I'm certainly willing to answer you, Ms. Vale. If you're okay with doing it over dinner."

Vicki was taken aback by this invitation. She stuttered a few times, before nodding meekly with a blush. Bruce smiled in response before walking off to their car. Alfred was standing by the car door, allowing them in after they arrived. Alfred drove off toward the designated restaurant while Bruce peered out the window, taking in the site of his city. He remembered how it looked when he flew back home, how the city seemed from above. Dirty. It seemed now that a spot of dirt had just been cleaned up.